YAPAHUWA FORT CAVE TEMPLE

Herbert Daniel Gebauer - 06/01/2018

An unspecified cave temple containing statues of the Buddha and paintings of the Kandy period (rock art). ETYMOLOGY: Yapahuwa (note 1) or Yapahoo (note 2), pronounced yaa-pow-a is also known as Fire Rock (LONELY PLANET 2003: 253) and as Subhapabbata, the Subha's Rock (CEYLON TRAVELLER (1983: 151). Almost all Pali proper names, whether geographical, or of persons, have some specific signification. In the translation of these names into vernacular dialects, their meaning, and not their sound, has been generally preserved. Thus, … Subba Pubattoo is Yapahoo in the Seven Korles; which European authors, guided by the sound only, have converted into (Yapana) Jaffna, and thereby made that place one of the ancient capitals of the island (FORBES 1840, 1841 vol. 2: 320 explanatory notes). SITUATION 1983: In the vicinity of the town of Maho and within the fortifications of Yapahuwa Fort, which is also known as Subhapabbata, the Subha's Rock (CEYLON TRAVELLER 1983: 151). SITUATION 2003: The rok fortress of Yapahuwa rising 100 m from the plain is similar in concept to –>Sigiriya: The view from the top of the staircase is wonderful. Climbing right up to the top of the rock is not really feasible as it's very overgrown (LONELY PLANET 2003: 253). APPROACH 1983: The turn off to the village of Yapahuwa (CEYLON TRAVELLER 1983: 151), from which the fortress is 1.5 miles (2.5 km) or only two miles (about 3 km) by bus from Maho (note 3). APPROACH 2003: Yapahuwa is 4 km along the road from Maho railway station, where the Trincomalee line splits from the Colombo - Anuradhapura line, and about 5 km from the Anuradhapura - Kurunegala road. It's possible to take a three-wheeler from the Anuradhapura - Kurunegala road to the site, although occasional buses do travel from here to Maho and back (LONELY PLANET 2003: 254). CAVE DESCRIPTION: Behind the museum is … a cave temple that contains some 13th-century frescoes. The repetion of images across a geometric grid also appears in ancient uddhist sites in India, such as Ajanta [note 4], inland from Mumbai, and Alchi [note 5] in Ladakh. Also in the temple are wooden Buddha images and, interestingly, one image made of bronze. The temple is usually locked but a monk will open it for you is you ask, although you are expected to make a donation (LONELY PLANET, Sri Lanka 2003: 253-254).uddhist sites in India, such as Ajanta [note 4], inland from Mumbai, and Alchi [note 5] in Ladakh. Also in the temple are wooden Buddha images and, interestingly, one image made of bronze. The temple is usually locked but a monk will open it for you is you ask, although you are expected to make a donation (LONELY PLANET, Sri Lanka 2003: 253-254).