 Dondra Head
by Nilma Dole
“From Point Pedro to Dondra
Head” why is that expression so familiar to us? The fact that Point
Pedro is at the most Northern tip and Dondra Head is the most Southern
tip of Sri Lanka make them most exciting places to visit.
 Dondra Head is at the Southern tip of Sri Lanka near the small town
of Dondra or ‘Devundara’. The Galle Lighthouse and a Vihara are located
in the area. There was a temple to Vishnu with a gilded copper roof,
destroyed by the Portuguese but the place still attracts pilgrims today
to the Dondra Fair and Perahera, held in the month of Esala
(July-August). It might interest you that Dondra Head was once the
capital of the country.
Dondra Head Lighthouse is an offshore Lighthouse in Dondra, is
operated and maintained by the Sri Lanka Ports Authority. It was built
in 1889 making it still the tallest lighthouse in Sri Lanka and was
designed by Sir James Nicholas Douglass and constructed by William
Douglass of the Imperial Lighthouse Service.
Dondra Head was also at the epicentre of a beneficial sea route.
Possibly fuelling inspiration for the 1955 movie, Dondra Head was
instrumental in bringing about ‘Soldiers of Fortune: Pearls off Dondra
Head’ directed by John English starring John Russel, Chick Chandler,
Nancy Gates, Howard Negley, Christopher Dark, Lawrence Dobkin, George
Keymas and Dale Van Stickel. The story is about Tim and Toubo who, upon
learning of a rich pearl bed from a dying man, they decide to try their
luck at pearl diving.
The tower height of Dondra Head is 160m and the tower is a white
octagonal brick tower and it is now used as an active aid to navigation.
Its characteristic is a white flash every 5 seconds of a range of 28
nautical miles with a height focal plane of 153m. who knwon as
Devinuwara the ‘City of Gods’ in Sinhala was vital for several reasons.
The immense historical, geographical and religious importance makes it
one of the more discerning places to visit in Sri Lanka.
Though some of the ancient ruins one of its historical importance the
Devalaya (temple) is the main monument of marvel.
According to folklore, the village of Devinuwara was a city respected
by Buddhists for the power of gods. ‘Devinuwara’, in Sinhalese language
means - ‘Devi’ or gods and ‘nuwara’ means city, which means ‘City of
Gods’.
The city was founded around 660 AD when Buddhists and people from
other religions also came from far flung parts of the country to pay
homage at the place. During the annual festival season that takes place
in June, many pilgrims come from far and wide to receive the blessings
of the gods. The Basnayaka Nilame elected by the people from the
district, manages this Devalaya which is under State control. |
