Facets of Lanka

The Rangiri Dambulla Raja Mahavihara

Derrick Schokman

ORIGIN: Rock temples are a distinctive feature of Buddhist archaeology. None more so than the famous one at Dambulla, recognized as a world heritage site by UNESCO having the largest expanse of mural painting.

The origin of this temple is attributed to King Vattagamani Abhaya during his early period (103-89BC) when Indian invaders usurped his throne, and he had to retire to what is now the Matale District for several years before he was able to regain it.

There is an inscription to this effect on the overhanging rock above the entrance to the first cave or Dewaraja Vihara, so called because it is supposed that the god Vishnu himself had aided the construction of his life-size image within.

The inscription in Asokan characters is attributed to Manchula Tissa (76-62 BC) who was adopted by King Vattagamani. Translation of the inscription reads as follows:

"The great cave of the great King Gamani Tissa, beloved of the gods, is given to the priesthood of the four quarters present and absent."

Maharaja Vihara

Next to the Dewaraja is the Maharaja Vihara, the largest cavern in the rock. Its walls and ceiling are brightly painted. There are numerous Buddha statues in various sizes and different postures on one side of the cavern.

On the other side are paintings illustrating important historic events. There are several of the first king Vijaya, most notably his arrival in the island in a boat surrounded by sea monsters.

There are also paintings of a introduction of the sacred Tooth Relic and the Sri Maha Bodhi. King Devanampiya Tissa is shown guiding a plough drawn by two elephants, opening up the land for the construction of religious monuments.

Look out for the two royal images at either end of the cavern: King Vattagamani the originator and King Nissanka Malla (1198-1207) who later restored and embellished Vattagamani's work with 600,000 pieces of gold, giving the temple the name of "Rangiri Dambulla". There is a rock inscription to this effect by the king.

In between is a handsome stupa (dagaba) with a wide circular pedestal on which four figures of the Buddha seated on the coils of a cobra shaded by its expanded hood.

Alut Vihara

King Kirti Sri Rajasinghe of Kandy (1747-1782) also made extensive restorations of the temple, adding a new section called the Alut-Vihara. It is the second largest cavern.

Here, too, there are several figures of the Buddha grouped in different attitudes: standing statues 10 feet high, life size sedent figures and a huge recumbent image about 30 feet long. A well executed figure of King Kirti Sri Rajasinghe in royal robes may also be seen at the Western end of the cave.

Next to the Alut-Vihara is another Kandyan contribution by one of King Kirti Sri Rajasinghe's Ministers. It is a small cave containing 10 life size Buddha images, a neat dagaba and murals of bright colours.

Asgiriya Chapter

The Chief Monk or Viharadipathi of the Rangiri Dambulla Raja Mahavihara is elected and appointed by the Karaka Sabha or committee of the Asgiriya Chapter of the Siyam Nikaya.

The main source of income of the temple is derived from about 15,000 acres of land that it owns.

This land is divided into two categories: bandara-pangu or absolute property of the temple and paraveni-pangu owned by the villagers but bound to the temple by the rajakariya system where they have to perform certain duties.

Headmen or Vidanes, appointed by the Viharadipathi, are agents who act between the Viharadipathi as landlord and the tenants of the temple. They collect revenue from temple lands and see that the tenants are carrying out their services and duties in the proper manner.

There are also the Kattiyanarala or temple attendants whose duty it is to prepare and provide the daily offerings to the Buddha.

Almost all the attendants who are responsible for the day to day needs of the temple come from the nearby rajakariya villages of Padeniya, Ratmalaghaala, Tittavelgolle and Haluapullanava.

Festivals

There are two important temple festivals: the alut-sahal-mangallaya in January and the Kachchi or Kartika Festival of Lights in October/November.

In alut-sahal-mangallaya a temple procession proceeds over a 30 mile route for two days.

It is customary for people along the route to donate portions of the grain they harvest to be used in the great Buddha pujava and alms-giving to the monks at the completion of the festival.

In the Kartika Festival, several hundred oil lamps are lit in the Temple. The paraveni-pangu tenants have to bring the oil to the temple and prepare the ceremony.

A glorious reign of 54 years of Queen Elizabeth II

CELEBRATION: Queen Elizabeth II of England who completed 80 years of age on April 21 has had a continuous and glorious reign of 54 years. She is the second British Queen to hold this record of service about which the British public are highly jubilant.

Queen Victoria born in 1819 became the monarch of England in 1827 and after ruling for 74 long years passed away in 1901.

However, the stamp world has honoured Queen Elizabeth II with an innumerable number of stamps depicting her portrait.

These stamps adorn almost every private stamp collection of all who are proud to call themselves stamp collectors for the last 54 years.

After Queen Victoria it was King Edward VII who was enthroned as king of England and he ruled for nine years from 1901 to 1910.

From 1910 to 1936 King George V was the King after whose death King Edward VIII ascended the British throne. He ruled only for nine months and 20 days when he left the throne on his own.

It was King George VI who assumed the British Crown after him and he ruled for 16 years thereafter.

The present Queen Elizabeth II became the Queen of England in 1952 and this ensuing year she completes 54 years as the Queen. As the 80th birth anniversary of hers falls this year, the world felicitate her and some countries also will honour her with special stamps.

Sri Lanka has issued stamps in her honour on two occasions in 1953 and 1954. The first stamp was issued to mark the Queen's coronation on June 2, 1953.

The second occasion was on her visit to our country in 1954. This stamp depicted a ceremonial procession with elephants and was issued on April 10, 1954.

- Francis P. Gunasekera.

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