'Mihin Lanka' illuminates Sithulpauwwa

Rasika SOMARATHNA

'Mihin Lanka' has taken steps to install sign boards depicting information and guidance to pilgrims at various sites in the Sithulpauwwa sacred area which spreads across 20,000 acres.

Sithulpauwwa Raja Maha Viharaya Chief incumbent Ven.Metarambe Hemarathana Thera said these boards have become very popular with pilgrims as they provide information and guidance to devotees on various historical and religious sites within the sacred area.

The government recently took steps to renovate various ancient sites in the area, including the main 'Dagoba'.

Defence and Urban Development Ministry Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa ceremonially unveiled the Crest Gem of the Pinnacle at the Sithulpauwwa Raja Maha Viharaya Dagoba on Poson Full Moon Poya day, 04th June. The Sithulpauwwa Rock temple which has a history over 2,200 years is located in the Hambantota district. It is believed that the rock temple and various other rock caves in the area once housed 12,000 Arahats.

It is recorded in the annals that the 'Dagoba' was built by King Kavantissa who ruled the area of 'Ruhuna around 161 B.C. Maha Sithulpauwa rock is 400 feet in height and it houses an intricate cave complex.The dagoba is situated on top of the rock.

It is believed that the modern name Sithulpauwwa derived from the word 'Chittalapabbata' which means the hill of the quiet mind. The

rock temple was a place of worship for devotees and a centre of Buddhist scholarship. The rock temple is famous for its early Brahmi script, ruins of the preaching house and the fragments of paintings that can be viewed at the image house.

President Mahinda Rajapaksa is the present head of the 'Dayaka Sabha' of the temple. Speaker Chamal Rajapaksa acts as an advisor.