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| Sunday, 5 December 2004 |
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Junior Observer |  |
| News Business Features Editorial
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Abhayagiriya - centrepiece of a monastery
The Abhayagiri Dagoba, among the largest dagobas in Sri Lanka, is located in Anuradhapura. It is commonly believed that the dagoba was constructed by King Valagambahu in 103AD, although there is no archaeological proof to this effect. Some believe it to have been created by King Gajaba I. Legend says that the dagoba was built on a spot where a hermitage had once stood. Valagambahu, who had just ascended the throne, had to face an Indian invasion and was fleeing the city in his chariot. A Jain monk named Giri who was at the hermitage had seen the fleeing king and had taunted him. Fourteen years later, King Valagambahu reclaimed the throne after defeating his enemies; he had Giri executed and the hermitage razed to the ground where the Abhayagiri Dagoba and 12 pirivena buildings were constructed. The completed building was presented by the king to Kupikkala Mahatissa Maha Thera, who had helped him during the hard days. This was the first instance when such an edifice was bestowed on an individual and not on a community of monks, as was the custom those days. The dagoba was the centrepiece of a monastery where over 5,000 monks resided. According to the Dipavansa, King Valagambahu constructed the Abhayagiri monastery and the Silathupa enclosed in its dagoba. The Chinese monk Fa Hsien who visited Sri Lanka during the fifth century, had been told by monks of the Abhayagiri Vihara that the dagoba had been constructed over a foot print of the Buddha. According to Fa Hsien, the dagoba was 400 feet in height. It had been renovated by many kings over the years. The four doorways in the dagoba's courtyard had been constructed by King Kanishtatissa while they had been renovated by King Voharikatissa. The dagoba was destroyed in the 10th century due to a Chola invasion. It was later rebuilt by Parkramabahu the Great to reach a height of 280 feet. A 35 feet section of the pinnacle had later been destroyed and the dagoba now stands at 245 feet. The courtyard on which the dagoba stands is 587 feet on one side. The stones lining the courtyard are said to have been donated by pilgrims. King Sena III had worked tirelessly to line the courtyard. There are four ponds outside the wall lining the dagoba. They had been designed to collect the rain water which flew from the dagoba grounds. Near the western stairway to the dagoba, an image of an elephant pulling a tree can be seen. A large slab with a foot print believed to be of the Buddha is seen on the northern side of the dagoba while unusual moon-stones can be found on the eastern and western steps. **** The wonder at Medirigiriya
The circular building known as a vatadage was constructed to house and protect a dagoba built to enshrine the sacred relics of the Buddha. The Medirigiriya Vatadage is also known as the Madalagiri Vihara and was thought to have been built during pre-Christian times. However, the existing vatadage built around the old chetiya belongs to the period of King Agbo IV (667-683 AD) and is thought to have been constructed by King Malaya. It is also said that King Udaya, the brother of King Sena II donated his wealth to the Medirigiri Vihara. History also says that King Nissankamalla reconstructed a chetiya in the ground. The Medirigiriya Vatadage is on a high circular stage. It has three circles of concentric (with the same centre) pillars; the innermost circle has 16 pillars, the middle line has 20 while the outermost circle has 32 pillars. The tops of these pillars are similar in appearance to the pillars at the Thuparama Dagoba in Anuradhapura. Between the middle and outer circles of pillars is a circular brick wall with four doorways opening onto the four sides. Around the outermost circle of pillars is a decorated stone wall about three and a half feet high. All stone pillars around this vatadage are still standing. Four large seated Buddha statues are built facing the four directions. Another superb creation is the stairway comprising 27 granite steps to climb up to the vatadage. Close to the vatadage, discoveries had been made of the ruins of an old hospital and a temple building which was 50 feet by 33 feet. There are remains of a herbal medicine bath shaped like the lower half of a coffin. The vatadage is similar in appearance to other vatadages at Polonnaruwa and Thiriyaya. Although the Polonnaru Vatadage is located amidst many other ruins, the Medirigiriya one stands alone on top of a small hill. As it is an isolated spot, it doesn't attract as many visitors as the one at Polonnaruwa. |
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Last week we talked about the Jetawanarama Dagoba and how it is often
confused with the Abhayagiri Dagoba. This confusion has resulted due to
both dagobas being similar in size and appearance.
The vatadage at Medirigiriya is generally considered to be the best
vatadage in the country. Medirigiriya is in the Polonnaruwa district.
