Rise and Rise of ancient Ruhuna

Rupa Banduwardena

Steeped in deep history, ancient Ruhuna referred to as Maha Ruhuna was the main attraction reflecting the past glory and pride of this paradise isle. A flourishing region Mahagam-pattuwa was a Royal Seat which displays the island's proud history and cultural heritage. Ancient chronicles and archaeological evidence depict the amazing historical background built by King Kavantissa as far back as the third century BC, in Magama the principal settlement in Ruhuna. Mahawamsa mentions Muttasiva as the father of ten sons. Dewanampiyatissa, Uttiya, Mahanaga and Suratissa being brothers reigned simultaneously in different parts of the country. Dewanampiyatissa who became heir to the throne reigned for forty years in Anuradhapura while the fourth Mahanaga is believed to have founded a dynasty in the Southern Kingdom of Ruhuna with Mahagama as the capital. The history of Ruhuna begins here.

Royal patronage

Out of the above mentioned Royal brothers, the steady growth of Ruhuna was credited to Kavantissa, the powerful monarch and the sovereign ruler whose reign was marked by very important and significant events. History records that Ruhuna was a very prosperous area then. Its importance was, as a prosperous agricultural centre. Endless areas of paddy land tell us of the ancient splendour of the area, the hard work of the people and the superior performance of the Royalty.

Tissa wewa believed to be one of the earliest reservoirs built by King Kavantissa, giving life to green surroundings spreads its grace as a Royal construction. Everybody saw Ruhuna as a city of abundance with great stupas yet to be mentioned playing a dominant role in the religious, social and economic life of the ancient Sinhala people. King Kavantissa is further distinguished as the father of King Dutugemunu, the national hero, the first king to liberate and unify the island.

Ancient chetiyas

One is reminded of Dutugemunu's mother the charming Vihara Mahadevi and the legend of the tsunami. When the first recorded, tsunami occurred in Kelaniya, the King sent his daughter afloat, to sea to save the country. The ship carrying the beautiful princess landed in Magampura where she became the queen of King Kavantissa. A large statue of queen Vihara Mahadevi is found in the premises of the great stupa Tissa Mahavehera reminding one of the glorious past of Ruhuna. Unique in human history the stupa remains a notable ornament in Ruhuna in the South possessing the most sacred "Lalata Dhathu" of the Buddha.

Yet another stupa that adorns Ruhuna is Kirivehera, built on the spot believed to have been blessed by the Buddha on his third visit to Sri Lanka. Located in the vicinity of Kataragama, the most visited city in Ruhuna is of great religious significance, drawing devotees in thousands at present. According to chronicles Mahagama the once proud capital of Ruhuna, a Royal city for over three hundred years between the third and the first centuries BC, there are other stupas as well, built by the Royalty.

As one enters the capital, on the left are the Menik and Yatala chetiyas with a fascinating history of the early times. Yatala chetiya was named after Yasalalakatissa, the son of King Mahanaga who was fleeing from Anuradhapura. His queen was in labour and he sought refuge in a one-pillar palace (Yasti-aala) where the Prince was born safely. Mahanaga in his delight vowed to build a chaithya and establish a monastery on that spot once he settles down in Ruhuna.

Later he gave his son's name to the chetiya and the monastery. The stone pillars scattered around bear witness to the fact there had been a great monastery. The "Galkanumandiya", ruins in Tissa as popularly known in the area is a rarity unlike in Anuradhapura.

There is another stone pillar known as "Akurugodella" where you find an inscription belonging to this era. Thanks to the Royal patronage in easily history, today these sacred venues in which people of Ruhuna take much pride have become places of worship not to be missed by Sri Lankan Buddhists.

The massive Dagabas creating a serene atmosphere are good examples for cultivating religious inspiration and devotion among the people and they have become impressive centres of cultural value. The religious and economic prosperity played an important role creating a golden era unparalleled in the history of ancient Ruhuna.