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| Wednesday, 29 September 2004 |
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Heritage: Kundasale reminiscent of the Kundalabharanaya by Gamini G. Punchihewa
In the grand old legendary days when people believed in the planetary influence, there raged a battle between two feuding gods. They were "Brhaspati" and "Budha". In the ensuing battle the Kundalabharanaya known to be the earring of Brhaspati had fallen at the very spot which later came to be known as Kundasale. Meanwhile, an astrologer from Kotmale and another Brahamin from India having come to know about this miraculous earring had come to reside there to study its whereabouts. They stealthily picked up the Kundalabharanaya of Brahaspati and offered it to the Dalada Maligawa, Kandy (The Temple of the Sacred Tooth relic). Hence came its derivation of its present name and Kundasale as this earring of Kundalabharanaya of Brhaspati was found there. There is another folk tale surrounding the antecedents of Kundasale. Kundasale was a rest-hall of King Narendra Raja Sinha who ruled Kandy in the 18th century A.D. There was a royal bathing spot where the king had bathed in the middle of Mahaweli ganga (within easy reach of this riverine spot) which is to this day is called as Diyatilaka Mandapaya. Gleanings Delving into still more of its historicity, it is said that king Narendra Sinha had a residence there where his palace was built close to the Mahaweli ganga. But there is no living testimony to this effect except that some memorabilia have been preserved at the Kandy Museum and at the entrance to the Dalada Maligawa, Kandy. Among those are said to be two stones with the carvings of elephant figures at the entrance to the Dalada Maligawa and two other monolithic carvings of the figures of Punkalasa or vases, presently preserved at the Kandy Museum. Museum Kundasale lies on the Kandy-Teldeniya road about six miles away from Kandy, at the Warapitiya junction. Its about 1 km from the Warapitiya junction which is about 2 km. from Teldeniya. Foremost as we entered this ancient temple called Narendra Raj Sinha (1746-1782 A.D.) Thilakasena Palliyaguruge introduced me to the 7th resident Buddhist monk Ven. Sri Rambukwelle Dharmarakshitha Thera. Narendra Rajasinha Raja Maha Viharaya was built by king Kirthi Sri Rajasinha (1746-1782). All that remains of this historic temple are the image house (Pilimage) and the Vihara. The living area of this temple premises is adorned with an ornamental arch. Copper plate Sannasa The Avasa (residency of the Buddhist monks) had been modelled on the pristine architectural pattern of a Kandyan master. Its verandah being constructed with glazed doors and windows had a medamidula (central courtyard). Behind the main rooms are a few stone pillars reminiscent of the original structure of the building. A wooden stair-case leads to its upstairs. Here lies a classic collection of memorabilia coming down from King Kirthi Sri Rajasinha.
A copper plate (thamba sannasa) dates 1754 shows it had been donated to the temple by king Kirthi Sri Raja Sinha. It says that the king had visited the royal gardens of Kundasale and built an image house. Its construction was completed in 1754 and it was dedicated to Ven. Rambukwelle Anunayake whose pupilary dynasty still holds the line of incumbents. The temple has a fine gold-plated Buddha statue made out of sandalwood. Numerous priceless temple artefacts gifted by kings Kirti Sri Rajasinha and Narendra Sinha are preserved in the museum upstairs. They include Handungala (a grinding stone) Pallekkiya and (a mini-palanquin) a wooden ornamental bed having intricate carvings. The most valuable piece of antiquity is a jacket worn by king Narendra Raja Sinha. Other antiques include textiles, flags, curtains, swords and kinissas donated by the king to the temple. **** Back **** |
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