MULGIRIGALA LENA

Herbert Daniel Gebauer - 06/01/2018

A series of cleft-like caves in the huge rock (LONELY PLANET, Sri Lanka 2003: 155), rock temples (FORBES 1840. 1841, vol. 2: 191) or a remarkable natural cave (compare –>Mulgeerelenna) and two artificial caverns (MALTE BRUN 1834, 1, book XLVIII) have been excavated by nature from the metaphoric or granitic rocks at Mulgirigala (note 1), where they are found tucked into the side (CEYLON TRAVELLER 1983: 67) and a little way from the top (MALTE BRUN 1834, 1, XLVIII). The solitary black rock (note 2) thrusts some 100 m into the sky (note 3) and is praised for its air of awesome grandeur about it, rare in this modern world (CEYLON TRAVELLER 1983: 67). SITUATION: About 16 km along the road north-west of Tangalla [N06°01'23”: E080°47'20” WGS84] … Mulkagiri can be reached by bus via either Beliatta or Wiraketiya (depending on the departures, it might be quicker to go via Miraketiya rather than wait for the Beliatta bus). A three-wheeler from Tangalla costs about Rs 440 for a return trip (ONELY PLANET, Sri Lanka 2003: 155-156). n the interior of the island, 17 km from Tangalla (N06°01'23”: E080°47'20” WGS84) (BERGER 1992/93: 214). From Tangalle I turned inland for twelve miles [19 km], to visit the Buddhist temples of Mulgiri. This rock is about three hundred and fifty feet [107 m] in height, perpendicular on three sides, but attached on the north to a low, rocky range, of which it forms the abrupt termination. The small level spot on the summit, from which there is an extensive view over the southern maritime provinces, is surmounted by a dagoba: the ascent is not difficult, stone steps being placed wherever the rock was too steep to be easily surmounted. The dwellings of the priests of the establishment are situated near the base of the rock ; and behind them, where there is an overhanging ledge, the remains of the oldest temples, now in ruins, may be distinguished. The new temples … are … within a little distance of the summit … (FORBES1840, 1841 vol. 2: 191). WLSON (1988: 22) adds little but confusion with noticing a misunderstood cave temple (sic! qua: temple cave) which, allegedly called Mulkirigala (sic! qua: Mulgirigala Lena), lies in one way or another 12 km north of Tangalla. CAVE DESCRIPTION: Near the base of the rock and … behind the dwellings of the priests of the establishment … is an overhanging ledge, the remains of the oldest temples, now in ruins. The new temples, as they are called, are excavated under a ledge within a little distance of the summit, and are in good repair. The rock temples of Mulgiri, although similar in design, are every way inferior to those at Dambool : the old temples were formed by Saidatissa in the second century before Christ; Kaluna Detootissa completed the new temples in the seventh century of the Christian era. BERGER (1992/93: 214) mentions Mulgirigala, a hill with the temple Pahala Vihara, which, built during the reign (77 to 59 BC) of king Saddha Tissa, is -connected- with a cave (FORBES 1840, 181 vol. 2: 191-192). CULTURAL HISTORY - rock art: FORBES (1840, 1841 vol. 2: 191-192) ignored the famous frescoes (cave paintings) and decided that the … inscriptions at Mulgiri consist of a few words in the square or Nagara character, and two lines of Cingalese, of little import and no value (FORBES 1840, 1841 vol. 2: 192 note). MALTE BRUN (1834, 1, XLVIII) recorded gloomy temples of Buddha, containing many statues and hieroglyphical paintings. CEYLON TRAVELLER (1983: 67) focusses on the murals, though beautiful and carefully preserved … are not its claim to fame. Here, less than 150 years ago was discovered the 'key' to the Mahavamsa [note 4] and Culvavamsa, which have recorded the history of this island from 543 B.C. to modern times (note 5). LONELY PLANET, Sri Lanka (2003: 155-156) considers the rock temple at Mulkirigala (admission Rs100), has a little of Dambulla and Sigiriya about. Steps lead up to a series of cleft-like caves in the huge rock. As with Dambulla, the caves shlter large reclining [recumbent] Buddhas, together with wall paintings and other smaller sitting or standing figures.1 vol. 2: 191-192). CULTURAL HISTORY - rock art: FORBES (1840, 1841 vol. 2: 191-192) ignored the famous frescoes (cave paintings) and decided that the … inscriptions at Mulgiri consist of a few words in the square or Nagara character, and two lines of Cingalese, of little import and no value (FORBES 1840, 1841 vol. 2: 192 note). MALTE BRUN (1834, 1, XLVIII) recorded gloomy temples of Buddha, containing many statues and hieroglyphical paintings. CEYLON TRAVELLER (1983: 67) focusses on the murals, though beautiful and carefully preserved … are not its claim to fame. Here, less than 150 years ago was discovered the 'key' to the Mahavamsa [note 4] and Culvavamsa, which have recorded the history of this island from 543 B.C. to modern times (note 5). LONELY PLANET, Sri Lanka (2003: 155-156) considers the rock temple at Mulkirigala (admission Rs100), has a little of Dambulla and Sigiriya about. Steps lead up to a series of cleft-like caves in the huge rock. As with Dambulla, the caves shlter large reclining [recumbent] Buddhas, together with wall paintings and other smaller sitting or standing figures.