Sri Dalada Maligawa Buddhist cultural heritage

Terrorists attacked on January 25, 1998:

Dr Daya Hewapathirane

Ambarawa is at the entrance to the Maligawa in the form of a tunnel the entire curved surface was vibrantly adorned with colourful paintings. It destroyed the enchanting Sandakada Pahana (moonstone) built in keeping with the unique Mahanuwara tradition, at the entrance to the Ambarawa and damaged the granite rock pillars which were adorned with delicate and exquisite rock carvings of intricate traditional motifs. Passing the Ambarava one enters the Hevisi Mandapaya (the open verandah-like area) with pillars where ‘poojas’ (offering) and drumming are performed.

Besides the damages to the priceless cultural wealth that was associated with the Ambarawa, the blast resulted in the total destruction of one of the most precious items of the Maligawa - the historic moonstone that was found at the main entrance to the Maligawa. It was one of the few most enchanting moonstones bearing the design and shape of Mahanuwara moonstone tradition, somewhat similar to the one at the entrance to the Degaldoruwa Vihara.

The destroyed moonstones, other rock structures have been replaced with new ones bearing the same shape and design and the Ambarawapaintings have been re-drawn. Many ancient ola palm leaf manuscripts and delicate traditional ornaments and artifacts stored in the Pattirippuwa octagonal building were destroyed. However, can they ever replace these invaluable historic treasures that glorified and embellished this cultural paradise of a place?

Except for some structural damages to the plasters and walls and dislodging of parts of the carved wooden ceiling structures, most miraculously the ancient inner relic chamber structure at the centre of the Maligawa building where the Sacred Tooth Relic was housed remained intact.

When conservationists sifted through the rubble after the terrorist attack, they made an unexpected discovery. Beneath the existing wall paintings, two earlier layers of plaster with paintings were detected. Images of an elephant and a dancers leg were revealed which appears to be a part of a wider artistic composition of a ceremonial pageant. This painting is attributed to the beginning of the 18th Century, to the period of King Narendrasinha. Fragments of these paintings are displayed today in the new Maligawa museum, along with pictures of the destruction wreaked by the terrorist attack.

Exceptional paintings of Maligawa

The earliest paintings of the period of the Mahanuvara Kingdom are in the inner chambers of the Dalada Maligawa. They were completed during the reign of King Wimaladarmasuriya-II (1687-1707). Other paintings in the old Maligawa building were done during King Kirthisri Rajasinghe (1747-1786).

Passing the tunnel-like Ambarava at the entrance to the main Maligawa building, one enters the hevisi mandapaya or the open verandah-like area with pillars where ‘Poojas’ and drumming are performed. In front of the hevisi mandapaya is the two storeyed building where the Tooth Relic of the Buddha is enshrined. This was built by King Narendrasinghe who ruled from 1707-1739. The intricately carved wooden structures decorating the upper portion of the outer walls of the two storeys also contain exceptionally captivating paintings. Some of these paintings were done on plaster applied over wooden surfaces.

On the walls and ceilings of both floors of this building are paintings, which are exquisite. The wooden structures of the upper portions of the outer walls of the two storeys are decorated with intricate carvings. Paintings found in these structures are exceptionally captivating. Some of these paintings were done on plaster applied over wooden surfaces.

Most of the Maligawa paintings are elaborate thematic or decorative ones. Those decorating the walls and ceiling of the inner relic chamber are most breathtaking. There are paintings of beautiful designs using human figures, animals, birds and flowers. Some are found on the carved wooden ceiling structures associated with the Relic Chamber. Among some especially appealing paintings found here are those depicting King Wimaladarmasuriya-I (1591-1604), King Kirthisri Rajasinghe, Weliwita Saranankara thera, jataka tales and the Esala Perahera. Paintings of the Suvisi Vivarana or the 24 former Buddhas, deities and heavenly beings are gorgeous. A particularly striking painting in one of the Shrine rooms with a Buddha image is a stunning Makara Thorana which is a great work of art.

Modern paintings of Upasena Gunawardene are in the new Maligawa Annex. They narrate the story of the Tooth Relic and its enshrinement in the Maligawa. The Dalada Maligawa museum established in recent years on the upper floor of the Maligawa Annex contains segments of the painting layers damaged by the bomb blast and photographs of some of the damaged original paintings and parts of the paintings of several inner wall surfaces that were exposed after as a result of the bomb blast and peeling off of walls. Canvas replicas of some Maligawa paintings adorn the stairways leading to the Museum.

Greatest of national treasures

The Dalada Maligawa originally built in the late 15th Century is more than 550 years old and was added to, expanded and improved by several kings in the centuries that followed. This fabulous structure enshrines the sacred Tooth Relic of the Buddha venerated by Buddhists all over the world. It is of utmost symbolic value for Buddhists and the nation as a whole, because from historic times the possession and custodianship of the Sacred Tooth Relic was tantamount to acquisition of the sovereignty of the nation. Besides, the Dalada Maligawa is also famous internationally for it colourful 10 day procession called the Dalada Perahera, which has an unbroken tradition extending up to the fourth Century CE.

This captivating and delightful pageant has been conducted for the past 1700 years in several historic capitals in the country, when it was customary for our kings to built special Dalada Maligawa structures in those capitals to enshrine the Tooth Relic. Sri Dalada Maligawa is one of the greatest national cultural treasures of our country and it should receive the highest level of protection.