TALAGURUHELA GALGE

Herbert Daniel Gebauer - 06/01/2018

In addition to five caves (CEYLON TRAVELLER 1974: ?; 1983: 172) or modified natural rock shelters used for troglodyte religious purposes near the summit of the Talaguruhela, there are at it's base and unidentified number of caves with inscriptions including one containing an 18-foot recumbent image of the Buddha, partly damaged (note 1). ETYMOLOGY: The Talaguruhela caves (CEYLON TRAVELLER 1983: 172) or Talaguruhela rock caves on nima.mil/geonames (accessed 16.11.2003) appear to indicate an attempt to translate the Sinhala -galga- compounded of -gala- (rock) and -ge- (house, home, dwelling, etc). The -tala- bit possibly means something head while -guru- is a teacher and -hela- the same as in English, a hill. POSITION: The so-called Talaguruhela rock caves are one of the eight Sri Lanka -CAVE- (note 2) entries (note 3) listed on nima.mil/geonames (accessed 16.11.2003) and wayhoo.com (accessed 25.05.2004). SITUATION (CEYLON TRAVELLER 1983: 172): Nestling in a cluster of rocky hills, Taaguruhela at 894 feet [273.6 m] is the highest peak in the range. Seventy six rock-cut steps lead to the summit where one finds the remains of a stupa and a pre-Christian inscription. There are five caves and 16 upright stone pillars near the summit. At the base of this hill is a number of caves with inscriptions … A series of rock pillars and a mal asana (flat table top of rock where flowers are offered. In connection with the –>Lunuatugalge (N06°31': E081°30'), CEYLON TRAVELLER (1983: 173) explains that to the north are are peaks of Talaguruhela and beyond it the striking Chimney Hill Rock (1.056 feet), aptly named …On my issue of the -Road Map of Sri Lanka- (Survey Department 1977) the Talaguruhela position N06°34': E081°29' indicates a spot that lies on the border of the districts of Hambantota and Monaragala and close to the geographical centre of the –>Yala National Park (note 4). APPROACH (CEYLON TRAVELLER 1983: 172-173): Talaguruhela is 4 miles (6.4 km) from Kumbukkan ya or 18 miles [29 km] from Menik Ganga, along game trails through mostly unexplored area. The easier of these two routes is from the Kumbukkan oya through Kebilitta [note 5], where the jungle shrine of Pattini is found. An offering is usually made to appease the goddess when entering her domain to ensure safe journey. From her Talaguruhela can be reached in a few hours.aguruhela at 894 feet [273.6 m] is the highest peak in the range. Seventy six rock-cut steps lead to the summit where one finds the remains of a stupa and a pre-Christian inscription. There are five caves and 16 upright stone pillars near the summit. At the base of this hill is a number of caves with inscriptions … A series of rock pillars and a mal asana (flat table top of rock where flowers are offered. In connection with the –>Lunuatugalge (N06°31': E081°30'), CEYLON TRAVELLER (1983: 173) explains that to the north are are peaks of Talaguruhela and beyond it the striking Chimney Hill Rock (1.056 feet), aptly named …On my issue of the -Road Map of Sri Lanka- (Survey Department 1977) the Talaguruhela position N06°34': E081°29' indicates a spot that lies on the border of the districts of Hambantota and Monaragala and close to the geographical centre of the –>Yala National Park (note 4). APPROACH (CEYLON TRAVELLER 1983: 172-173): Talaguruhela is 4 miles (6.4 km) from Kumbukkan ya or 18 miles [29 km] from Menik Ganga, along game trails through mostly unexplored area. The easier of these two routes is from the Kumbukkan oya through Kebilitta [note 5], where the jungle shrine of Pattini is found. An offering is usually made to appease the goddess when entering her domain to ensure safe journey. From her Talaguruhela can be reached in a few hours.