Galapatha Viharaya

A once single monastic complex:

Text and pictures by Ganga Pradeepa in Bentota

The cluster of five temples which once formed a single monastic complex is found within a radius of about 2 km off the main highway at Bentota. The most significant temples of this complex are the Galapatha Vihara and the Vanavasa Vihara.

The sacred tooth relic of Arahant Maha Kashyapa is said to have been enshrined at the Galapatha Vihara which still retains ruins of the original temple including rock pillars, rock carvings, stone troughs and ponds.

A colourful procession conducted annually by the temple in honour of Arahant Maha Kashyapa draws large crowds. Vanavasa Vihara had been a forest retreat for Arahants. The other temples of the complex Modhimalu Vihara and Udakotuwa Vihara are situated close to this temple.

King Dutugemunu's brother Saddatissa is supposed to have built Galapatha Viharaya which is a famous place in Sri Lanka. It is told in the chronicles that the Maharahatan Theras lived here along with some dignitaries of the Sangha in Sri Lanka.

Kings of the Polonnaruwa period up to Sri Rajasinghe have upgraded the temple from time to time. Anubudu Maha Kashyapa Maharahatan Thera's relic is enshrined here and draws the worship and reverence to this historical viharaya. The chonicles say that relics equal to the significance of the Sacred Tooth of the Buddha are engraved in this Vihara.

The King Parakramabahu II built a protection wall surrounding Bentota and made offering to the relics on hearing the religious significance. He later deposited the aforesaid relics in the nearby chaitya as a step to protect them from invaders.

Carvings in stone

The pathway leading to this temple goes through a stone archway off a stone doorway having two upright monolithic pillars on either side, and another two above and below. On those standing pillars are carved elaborate, Nari Latha motifs. These decorative carvings of great aesthetic value date back to the Kandyan period.

"In the 31st reign of Parakramabahu king, he had directed a Dravidian chieftain named Mahendra, with the assistance of Dravidians there to build the Galapatha Vihara for which labour, lands, gamvaram and other land donations have been decreed. This noble, a chieftain of high rank and prestige is named Kahambalkulu Mahinda, Dravidian chieftain, thus decreeing lands, gamvaram to the temple, the people and other relatives". (This extract in brief is taken from the Sinhala book titled 'Bentota Paradisaya' by Albert Kannangara (2005).

Queen bathed

Down by the Bentota river lies another historic landmark in the shape of an oval rock. It is named 'Nissankamalla Raja Bisawa Isnanaya Kala Istanaya' (The spot where King Nissankamalla's Queen had sat on to bathe).

There is an inscription here that King Nissankamalla of the 2nd century A.D. had stayed in his travels around Bentota at a place called Maha Pelane. Hence it is locally-named Nissanka Gala.

A Sacred Tooth

In the temple premises on a rock outcrop, stands the Dagoba where the Sacred Tooth Relic of Sri Anubuddha Maha Kassyapa Arahat is said to have been enshrined.

In front of the temple premises lies the first image house (Pilimage). At its entrance lies a plain moonstone. The murals are adorned with episodes of Jataka stories, while the ceiling is studded with paintings of lotus flowers, while on either side sit Bahirawa figures. Inside the shrine room is a reclining Buddha statue.

The next image house is also a relic of the past. The original image houses were destroyed by the Portuguese in the 16th century. Here too are seated and recumbent Buddha statues and mural paintings.

The Avasa (Monks' residency), is a commodious one. It has a touch of colonial architecture, having arched windows, and other colonnades.

Present history

King Sri Nissankamalla offered a Nindagama cultivated with coconuts and subsequently Parakramabahu II offered another coconut belt between the Bentota river and the Kalu Ganga, as described in the Mahawamsa.

The Chief Minister Mihindu renovated the Viharaya and obtained paddy fields as indicated in the temple stone scripture.

The advent of foreign invaders neglected the shrine and the Buddhist renaissance during Welivita Saranankara and his disciple Dedduwa Nanda Bidhana Thera was extended to six villages in Bentota with patronage to the restoration work, under their disciples.

It came to the opening of a Pirivena and establishing the Upasampadha tradition in this temple under Ven. Bentota Siromani Ananda. Ven. Alakake Pannawasa Thera was responsible for restoration of statues and paintings in the Buddhist year 2503.

The Visnu Devala has continued without any decay and the statue has remained as it was so in the past which is a unique sequence.

Taj Mahal - a heaven on earth

By the banks of the Yamuna river in India there stands a mausoleum shining in white splendour, one of the greatest creations ever done by the hands of the human kind. It is none other than the Taj Mahal, the monument of eternal love.

When we got into a battery operated bus in Agra our hope was to see the very same monument. Only battery powered buses and other vehicles that do not pollute the air are allowed in a certain area surrounding the Taj as vehicle fumes can destroy the Taj Mahal. The factories that were in Agra also have been relocated to reduce the pollution in Agra. Handicrafts are promoted in Agra and those families that are occupied in doing handicrafts are released from taxes. As a result quality handicrafts are available at a low price.

The road to the Taj Mahal is a zoo in itself. Bulls, Goats and nicely decorated Camels can be readily seen along the road. Tickets to the Taj cost 500 Indian rupees for a foreigner. Entry for children below 15 is free. While no food items are allowed inside, a water bottle is given to everyone free of charge. Cloth coverings to put on the feet are also given so that a visitor does not have to take off their shoes when walking inside the Taj.

The Taj Mahal was built by the fifth Mughal emperor Shah Jahan, in the seventeenth century in memory of Mumtaz Mahal - his beloved wife. It is said that in her dying moment she wished that an incomparable monument be built over her grave. To make Mumtaz Mahal's wish come true the emperor invited many architects to design monuments. In the end a design drawn by 'Ustad Isa Afandi' of Turkey was chosen to be constructed.

In December AD 1631 construction work of the Taj Mahal or the 'Crown Palace' began. The main building material was one of the hardest kinds of white marble from Makrana situated in Rajasthan. Red sand stone was brought from Fatehpur Sikri situated 140 kilometres south of Agra. Precious and semi precious stones such as Lapis Lazuli, Sapphire and Turquoise which were used for decorations were imported from many countries including Sri Lanka.

The Taj Mahal was meant to be heaven on earth. In the Quran it is said that those who go to heaven will first see an entrance. Likewise those who visit the Taj will first see the entrance, a red sand stone structure. Verses from the Quran are written there. There are eleven domes on each side of the entrance depicting the twenty two years spent to construct the Taj.

Walking through the entrance a visitor then enters a garden, very much like the one described in the Quran. There are many fountains and running water channels in the garden. It is believed that they once contained rose water, plain water, milk and honey representing the four rivers in heaven.

The entrance, the garden and all the other buildings of the Taj are perfectly symmetrical. Walking through the garden a visitor can behold the breath taking view of the Taj.

To the left and to the right of Taj there are two buildings which are of the same appearance. The building on the left is a mosque to which people to this day come to pray.

The building on the right which canot be used as a mosque as it does not face Mecca has merely been constructed to maintain the symmetry. The Taj houses the tombs of Mumtaz Mahal and Shah Jahan. Around these tombs a beautiful screen of marble has been crafted. Precious and semi precious stones such as moonstones and tiger-eye are inlaid in the white marble to create floral designs.

Intricate designs are carved in the marble. The tomb of Mumtaz Mahal lies in the middle of the building while Shah Jahan's tomb is placed to the left.

The Emperor Shah Jahan in his last wish destroyed the symmetry of Taj Mahal. He planned to build another Taj out of black Marble on the other side of the Yamuna River for himself and to connect the two monuments with a bridge over the Yamuna. Yet his dream never came true for his son Aurangzeb imprisoned him before the black Taj could be constructed.

After eight years of imprisonment in his own fort, in his dying moment he made his daughter, Jahanara promise that he would be laid down next to Mumtaz Mahal.

As it was, to make every thing symmetrical Mumtaz Mahal's tomb had been placed in the centre of the building. As a result, Emperor Shah Jahan's body had to be laid down to the left of Mumtaz Mahal thus destroying the Symmetry.

There is a widespread story that says Shah Jahan cut off the hands of the people who built the Taj Mahal. So that another monument like it would not be built. But it is not true.

The emperor Shah Jahan had asked the people who were from Persia to stay in India and had given them land.

Nillasi Liyanage

Serendib Hotel

18th century Dutch village:

Ganga PRADEEPA

Bentota, on the south coast, is renowned for its wide, golden beaches. Hotel Serendib is situated on one of the best stretches on this coast and is themed on a 18th century Dutch village and designed by the world-famous architect, Geoffrey Bawa.

The Serendib is not the most ornate hotel in Bentota, but it is undoubtedly among the best of the mid-market options and offers particularly good value. There is a hospitable feel to this simple, serene hotel and its many charms.

Its envied position in the heart of Bentota's broad, sandy beach certainly helps. Rooms are simple but comfortably furnished and the public areas are well maintained and inviting.

Compared with other hotels Serendib Hotel provides a big private balcony or terrace with sea views. Providing a spectacular view of the Indian Ocean. This much loved family resort has 90 rooms. Guests can reach Bentota around 2.5 hours drive from Colombo. The swimming pool and children's swimming area are situated 50 feet from the beach in large palm-fringed gardens.

A 24 hour room service, two restaurants and coffee shop serve Sri Lankan and international cuisine.

Evening entertainment includes variety shows, which sums up the Serendib's reputation for a happy atmosphere.The hotels' restaurant situated in front of the reception serves both local and international cuisine.

The hotel entrance is enchanting because of the pond with large colourful fish and the trees. Serendib Hotel is a grand property set on a wonderful beach in a quiet area and is a perfect holiday retreat.

It has a very good spa and they offer various kinds of treatments. Since the spa is situated in front of the beach it has a very relaxing atmosphere. According to Robson, David, 'The Complete Works', The Serendib Hotel was developed in tandem with the Bentota Beach Hotel, though it was completed a year later than its neighbour and was conceived as a budget-priced rest house for travellers.

The plan consists of two long parallel buildings enclosing a string of courtyards, the building on the street side containing offices, kitchens and service spaces, while that facing the sea contains two floors for accommodating guests flanking a central dining room.

The original building has forty-four rooms, twenty on the ground floor and twenty-four above, the lower rooms opening into small courtyards with covered verandas beyond, while the upper rooms open onto balconies facing the sea.

The corridors are enclosed and separated from the rooms by small open courtyards, with pairs of rooms connected to the corridor by narrow bridges and staircases.

The hotel operates a shuttle bus service to a nearby water sports centre where you can go wave boarding, wind surfing or water skiing.

The hotel is near the famous Lunuganga, Kosgoda Turtle Hatchery and the the Galle Fort.