The Naga cult

by Gamini G. Punchihewa

[email protected]

Being one interested in archaeological-heritage sites, I read with avidity the illuminating article titled “The Naga Cult” in Sinhala sculpture written by Professor Abaya Ariyasinghe that appeared in the Sunday Observer of 20.04.2008.

Please permit me also to add more information of Naga motifs found in one of those magnificent relics of a seven headed cobra stone where it is surmounted by its ancient stone sluice of Magama Weva, Uru Sita Weva/Pandikulam nestling in the Walawe basin.

It is located along the Embilipitiya-Sooriya Weva road about five miles from Embilipitiya, while furthest travelling down from Tissamaharama-Hambantota-Matara highway, it would be more convenient to turn off from Mirijjavila along its carpeted road leading to Sooriya Weva.

Before approaching Sooriya Weva on this carpeted road, lies the deviation to Embilipitiya, where the distance to cover it is about 3 miles to reach this Magama Weva ancient anicut site.

Unique lapidary features of Ancient sculpture

The unique lapidary features of prowess of our ancient sculptors and artists are well manifested of this monolithic cobra surmounted by the ancient stone sluice of this particular seven headed stone cobra.

It actually stands on a stone pedestal carved with friezes of seated lion heads and Bahirawa figures. The rarity of its exceptional mode lies on the tip of its coiled tail resting on this stone pedestal.

The next post of wondrous spectacle of sculpture is conspicuously portrayed in this unique carvings of its ingenuous sculpture with traditional motifs on the tip of its coiled tail resting on this very stone pedestal.

The next piece of wondrous spectacle of sculpture conspicuously portrayed in the middle of its coiled tail is a well conspicuous collar adorned around its neck, from which issues forth Punkalasa (full vase) spouting with foliage and flowers (Punkalasa denotes a symbol of prosperity and abundance).

This archaeological site is a protected monument under the umbrella of the Department of Archaeology.

Past Familiarisation Tour...

This ancient Magama Weva/Uru Sita Weva is said to date back to the epic reign of King Mahanaga of Magampura (in off Tissamaharama of Ruhunu Rata) of the 3rd century B.C.

In the recent past, while serving in the River Valleys Development Board/Mahaveli Authority (Walawe Special Area) in Embilipitiya, I had the privilege of taking a former Arcahological Commissioner, the late Mr. Sirisoma on a familiarisation tour around the Walawe’s archaeological-heritage sites.

So I chose to take him to this archaeological site of Magama Weva/Uru Sita Weva of its seven headed stone cobra and its ancient stone anicut.

Pointing to the varied sculptured features of the monolithic seven headed cobra and its allied such stone carvings, he opined that its carved collar, the Punkalasa issuing forth foliage and flowers terminating finally on the stone pedestal having friezes of seated lion heads and Bahirawa figures that such rare features of the Punkalasa,

(its adorned collar and particularly its coiled tail resting on the stone pedestal) were not even found in any other archaeological stie either in Rajarata or Ruhuna.

In this connection, I wish to recall that my good friend and close old colleague of mine - Thilak Palliyguruge, an enthusiast archaeologist, a talented artist having had many one-man art exhibitions of priceless paintings home and abroad.

In recognition of his noteworthy contributions in art and painting, the State in recent years awarded him the prestigious investiture of Kalabooshana. He is also an environmentallist and Architect and a close associate of the Alliance Francaise in Kandy.