Yapahuwa Fort sri lanka

Yapahuwa Fort

       Located in the northwestern, dry zone, the Kingdom of Yapahuwa is centered on a large rock. History bears witness to the fact that this fortified kingdom was formed with the determination to protect the country and the Tooth Relic from the South Indian invaders. What is special about this kingdom is that it is ruled by a single king. That was King Bhuvanekabahu I.

      The ruins of ancient walls, temples, dagobas and royal buildings can be seen in the Yapahuwa Kingdom which is an important part of the Sri Lankan dynasty. However, Yapahuwa is most notable for its rocky, steep staircase leading to the Yapahuwa Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic and the magnificent stone carvings at the top of the staircase.

Significance and historical background

With the fall of King Vijayabahu IV and the collapse of the Dambadeniya Kingdom, the Tooth Relic came to Yapahuwa to protect the Pandya from invaders. Prince Bhuvanekabahu, the brother of King Vijayabahu, ascended the throne in 1271 AD. Buwanekabahu built a fort around the Yapahuwa peak to protect the Tooth Relic and also built a Temple of the Tooth in the middle of the Yapahu rock. Although the palace is in ruins today, beautiful stone carvings can still be seen along the steps leading to it. These carvings reflect the greatness of the Hela artist. Out of these carvings, the two majestic lions on either side of the stairs occupy prominence. This lion statue is considered to be one of the finest creations in Sri Lankan rock art and is well known locally and abroad. The last 10 rupee note printed in Sri Lanka was also based on this beautiful design. You will also notice that the stairs are very narrow. It is to protect the Tooth Relic from foreign invaders.

You can still see two moats as well as a fortified wall protecting the Yapahuwa fort. In addition, you can reach the top of the Yapahu rock by passing the Yapahuwa Temple of the Tooth and using the recently constructed stairs. Remains of two dagobas and a pond can be seen on the top of the Yapahu rock which gives a good view of the surrounding area. In addition, a small cave can be seen just above the top of the rock.

There is a cave temple complex at the foot of the rock and you can see the frescoes belonging to the Kandy era. In addition, the foundations of the royal palace and the ministerial residences still remain. The ruins of the royal palace of King Buwanekabahu can be seen at the foot of the Yapahuwa Stairs. Legend has it that King Walagamba hid in this shrine which has a history of centuries. There is also a legend that the story of "Subha and Yasa" was centered on Yapahuwa. Unfortunately, it is unfortunate that treasure hunters have recently turned a blind eye to Yapahuwa.

King Bhuvanekabahu I, who ruled the country for 12 years, was defeated by the Pandyan invaders and the city of Yapahuwa was destroyed. The Pandyas take over the custody of the Tooth Relic, and a period of 19 years of anarchy ensues in Cyril. During this period, the Yapahuwa settlements were abandoned and turned into a sanctuary that provided shade for the monks.

Access road

From Kurunegala take the Puttalam road, turn right at Padeniya and take the A57 to Daladagama on the Anuradhapura road. From there turn right past Mahawa town and after a few kilometers you will come across Yapahuwa junction. From there you can reach the Yapahuwa ruins after walking a short distance on the road to the south (paved roads).

If you are coming by train, you can reach Yapahuwa Railway Station by a slow train and from there you can reach Yapahuwa by a three wheeler or on foot. Most trains do not stop at Yapahuwa Railway Station, so you can get off at Mahawa Junction and reach Yapahuwa by three-wheeler or bus.

Surrounding attractions

Due to the early abandonment of Yapahuwa, a short kingdom, few archeological sites have been established in the area. However, the Rasvehera Sacred Area to the north of Yapahuwa and the Aukana and Vijithapura Sacred Areas to the northeast of Yapahuwa are the places to visit during the Yapahuwa tour. The ruins of Panduwasnuwara and Hattikuchchi are also located a short distance from Yapahuwa.

facilities
Yapahuwa town is a small market. Therefore, the nearest cities where your needs can be met are Mahawa and Daladagama. But now it seems to be urbanizing.

Yapahuwa Luxury Hotel, a Ceylon-German joint venture, is located close to the Yapahuwa Archaeological site, but keep in mind that it is expensive.

HERITAGE Introduction

 HERITAGE

Introduction

Inheritance is a man-made idea. We consider heritage to be something that is of culturally rich value and conceptually of great importance. But the question must be raised as to whether that is really what should happen. It is important to ask whether we should name our inheritance only a select few sectors that have been given special rights according to their outward appearances.
HERITAGE - This concept rejects certain things and chooses only certain things. While this choice is personal, it involves the exclusion of the weak and poor factors of a particular society, culture, race, or country, and naming only the factors that can be attributed rich as heritage.

But while this is not what the whole heritage should be, only these rich factors are preserved as heritage from the past.

Because ‘heritage’ is something we recognize, this is called a ‘created, created’ concept.

Inheritance can be pointed out as something similar, though not related to history, past, antiquity, etc. Inheritance depends on recognition and acceptance. When something, a place, an event, a custom, a tradition, etc., is claimed as heritage, the first thing that happens is recognition. Second is the general recognition of the heritage that was introduced. Accordingly, it appears that this was created by the individual.

Eg: - The Mahavamsa states that the social origin of Ceylon came from Vijaya. But the truth is that it is not. Before that there was a widespread culture here. But the Mahavamsa has made a choice. A culturally rich factor is there named as heritage.

In some lands, inheritance is defined as the inheritance of a father. (patrimony). Material factors are not considered matrimony.

Different categories of heritage can be identified

1. Heritage is cultural and natural.
Cultural - made by man (human intervention) (bone tools, stone tools, cultural landscape)
Natural - created by nature (habitation sites, cave arias)

2. Inheritance is both tangible and intangible.
Inheritance contains many things that can and cannot be grasped. Although a clay tool can be grasped, its production technology cannot be touched. Superstitions and beliefs also belong to the category of untouchable heritage. Such heritages associated with a particular craft, although inherent in those who practice it, are less likely to spread beyond them. Therefore, preserving the intangible heritage is a matter of great importance in terms of longevity. (All physical and non-physical can be called intangible)

3. Anthropology depends on material factors. The immaterial is spoken of here as the material. (Reconstruction of past culture using antiquities)

4. Dynamic and static objects are unique because they place great importance on context in reconstructing the past. The significance of a field depends on its context. When something is removed from the field and its context is damaged during conservation, it is left in its original place and conserved. (in-situ conservation). Regardless of the method of reporting, the context of the archeological field can never be restored (this is because excavation is a disaster).

5. Categorization, done by Peatar Hall - Heritage Cube. Here are three sides.

1. Identity levels of heritage
Heritage World heritage- Heritage with identities that go beyond a country
Heritage National heritage - National level heritage
Heritage Regional heritage - Heritage limited to certain areas
Heritage Local heritage - Village limited heritage
Heritage Family heritage - Family limited heritage
2. The owner of the inheritance
Ists Tourists - World Heritage Sites
Itors Visitors - Heritage (World Heritage)
· Collective owners - Collective (common) heritage
Vet Privet owners - Personal Heritage
3. Fields of Heritage
Ural Cultural landscapes - Planned and customized landscapes (religious and social areas such as Sigiriya, various parks, Anuradhapura
Ural Cultural Activities - Activities related to the culture such as the 'Dalada Perahera'
U Monuments - Monuments built to commemorate something, something
Ites Sites - Areas of archaeological and geological importance
· People - Human Heritage (Vedda People, Veteran Authors)

Thus, it can be roughly pointed out from the above description that there are many different aspects related to heritage.

 

M. suranga pushpakumara

 

Introduction to Archaeological Theory / Theories

Introduction to Archaeological Theory / Theories

Archeology

Is the study of past human behavior patterns and cultural changes, through material remains.

At various stages from the earliest stages of human evolution, specializations can be identified by their polar cultural factors. That is to say, the various materials used by man in those eras and which are still being discovered through excavations and explorations, which give information about the uses of human beings.

Ex: -

• Stone tools
•  Tools made from animal and fish bones
•  Oyster species used as food, grains, plant parts, animal remains
• Ash deposits found in excavations at fire sites.
• Factors in outdoor and cave-associated habitats
• Places where stone tools were prepared  (factory side)
• Agriculture Fields
• Drainage systems            
  

  According to the above definition, the primary focus of archeology is on

• Human behavior
• Cultural changes
• Material remains

         On the factors. Social change depends on these three factors. Not only this, with the help of fire you can do welding. These traits have the potential to define any society

       Theory is a hypothesis. It's a bit of a guess. Various theories / theories are used in archeology to facilitate interpretations. Archeology studies what we never know about human societies that existed much earlier than we are. We have to take a strong responsibility for the assumptions we can make there, and in an unfamiliar society, it is inevitable that different theories will be used here to interpret patterns of behavior different from ours. Prior to interpreting these assumptions to be true, scientific and rational methods must be used to analyze how material culture, along with patterns of human behavior, influenced cultural change. Archaeological theory is used for this purpose.

       Special attention is paid to "interpretation" in processes such as data collection and analysis. The use of assumptions in interpretation is inevitable. The peculiarity is that since we make interpretations about unknown facts in an unknown society, we can never draw conclusions there and we should only come to assumptions.

                              Data presented in research; It is possible to uncover, to some extent, old-fashioned facts based on assumptions on acceptance and rejection. Imagination is essential here. A researcher has the ability to make different ideas as hypotheses. But what matters is the ability of the presenter to prove those ideas. Evidence is essential to ensure that they are accurate.

Traditional Archeology and New Archeology

Traditional Archeology


Cree. This situation can be traced back to 1960.
Under this, more attention was paid to the presentation of details about the physical nature of antiquities.
Data collection was abundant
The main purpose was to sell antiquities to antiquities collectors.
So much attention was not paid to the soil layers during the excavations.
Curiosity and commercial purposes came first. (Curiosity of antiquities collectors and the profit they can make from selling them)
Much attention was paid only to the details of the antiquities.Traditional Archeology


Cree. This situation can be traced back to 1960.
Under this, more attention was paid to the presentation of details about the physical nature of antiquities.
Data collection was abundant
The main purpose was to sell antiquities to antiquities collectors.
So much attention was not paid to the soil layers during the excavations.
Curiosity and commercial purposes came first. (Curiosity of antiquities collectors and the profit they can make from selling them)
Much attention was paid only to the details of the antiquities.

New Archeology


Cree. Born after 1960.
(explanation) Explanations were given priority here.
Took place at the research level. (Excavation methods, photography, reporting, narration, use of antiquities)
There was a purpose
Metric map usage started
It happened according to formal methods
Model building descriptions occurred

        

       In this way, it is possible to understand how the field of archeology progressed, gradually moving away from the old traditions and towards the scientific basis.

                    The use of archeology in the study of archeology is a scientific process. Archeology discusses the past through the use of materials. Interpretation is key when using data that is being monitored using excavations. In the light of the above, the understanding of material factors is very important for the study of cultural changes and their interpretation.

                          Theory is used as a psychological substitute. That is, as a substitute for a hypothetical phenomenon. In interpreting a material of archaeological value, the context of the environment / soil layer in which it was deposited, i.e. the rest of the material around it, the shape of the soil layer, etc. must also be taken into account. The value of antiquities separated by context is very low and the environment around the object is paramount in the interpretation.

Ex: -
         When an excavation site is found, not only the stone tools but also the environment around them provide vital evidence. The context is especially important when describing the place where the manufacturing process took place, the scrap metal used in the processing of tools, the area where they were removed, the processing technology, etc.

         There are various theories related to archeology. They are used in various ways in the study as well as in the process of ancient social reconstruction. This situation is expected to be discussed further in future articles.

M.suranga pushpakumara

World Heritage Site located in Sri Lanka

World Heritage Site located in Sri Lanka

UNESCO World Heritage List.

Polonnaruwa Historical City (1982)
Ancient City of Sigiriya (1982)
Sacred City of Anuradhapura (1982)
Galle city and its environs (1988)
Sacred City of Kandy (1988)
Sinharaja Reserve Forest (1988).
Dambulla Rangiri Viharaya (1991)
Central Highlands of Sri Lanka


1 Sacred City of Kandy
2 Sigiriya
3 Anuradhapura
4 Galle
5 Polonnaruwa
6 Rangiri Dambulla Stone Temple
7 Sinharaja Reserve

Sacred City of Kandy
Main article: Old Senkadagala city

             The Tooth Relic of the Buddha is housed in the Temple of the Tooth, a sacred place in Kandy. The idea that the owner of the Tooth Relic, an important symbol of state politics, is the ruler of the country has existed since ancient times. Kandy was the capital of Ceylon from 1592 to 1815 and was declared a World Heritage Site by the United Nations due to the Temple of the Tooth. The monks of the Asgiriya Malwathu Nikaya hold religious ceremonies at the palace three times a day in the morning, noon and evening. The opportunity to hold religious ceremonies once a year is exchanged between the two parties of the Asgiriya Malwathu. On Wednesdays, the Nanumura Mangalaya, a special religious service is held to dedicate the Tooth Relic. Fragrant flowers and water are used to treat the ailments, which are believed to cure the ailments. Although damaged by a terrorist attack, it has now been completely restored.
 

Sigiriya

      Sigiriya is known as the eighth wonder of the world. This is considered to be a fort built by King Kasyapa in the 4th century. There are ruins of a palace on the top of the Sigiriya rock and a lion gate in the middle of the rock with frescoes and a wall of mirrors. can. This is a royal palace as well as a fortress that illustrates the amazing ability of the creators. The ponds that still exist today are associated with the upper palace at the top of the rock. The moat around the lower palace creates a beautiful view.
 

Management Anuradhapura
Main article: Anuradhapura (Ancient city)
Ruwanweliseya-Anuradhapura
 

          Anuradhapura was the capital of Sri Lanka and is world famous for the ruins of Sri Lankan civilization that are still preserved today. Anuradhapura-based civilization is one of the greatest in Asia. Currently a United Nations World Heritage Site, it is located about a mile from the present capital, Colombo. 205 North, North Central Province is located on the banks of the Malwathu Oya. The Kingdom of Anuradhapura, which began in the 4th century BCE, remained the most stable political and economic center in South Asia until the 11th century BCE, a city sacred to the Buddhist world. There are over 40 Buddhist monasteries in the city and the city of Anuradhapura is famous as a place of archaeological significance in the world.
 

Galle
Main article: Galle Fort
Lighthouse-Galle
     

      Galle is located on the southwest coast of Sri Lanka, at a distance of 1 km from Colombo. A city 119 miles away. It was a fishing port in the 16th century before the arrival of the Portuguese and was then known as Gimmathitta. (Ibn Battuta is known as Qali.) Galle was at its peak of development before the British rulers in the 18th century regarded Colombo as their main port. The tsunami on 26.12.2004 damaged the city and claimed thousands of lives.

Polonnaruwa
Main article: PolonnaruwaMahasaya (Rankoth Vehera) - Polonnaruwa
 

       Polonnaruwa was the second oldest city in Ceylon when King Vijayabaha I defeated the Chola invaders and made it his capital. But the most important character in the kingdom of Polonnaruwa was his grandson King Parakramabahu the Great. This city was also known as Jananatha Mangalam during the short Chola rule. However, none of the subsequent rulers except King Nissankamalla were so successful. The South Indian marriages of those kings led to the subsequent invasions of South India and the migration of the kingdom to Dambaladeniya. Archaeological sites in the kingdom of Polonnaruwa today bear witness to the prosperous reigns of the early kings. This historic city has been designated a World Heritage Site by the United Nations. [www.galle.mc.gov.lk]
 

 

Rangiri Dambulla Stone Temple
Main article: Rangiri Dambulla Stone Temple
Rangiri Dambulla Stone Temple) -Dambulla
 

     Dambulla Ulen Viharaya (Rangiri Dambulu Gal Viharaya) is a World Heritage Site located in the middle of the country. Km from Colombo. 148 km east of Kandy. 72 Located in the north, this is a very well preserved temple complex. On a rock 160 m high in the plains, there are more than 80 fruits and the temple courtyard is associated with five fruits. This temple has become world famous due to the stupas and murals associated with the character of the Buddha. 153 Buddha Stupas, 3 statues of Sinhala kings and 4 wooden statues. Located in the 2100 area. The murals depict the defeat of the Buddha and the first sermon