Sri Lanka has an incredible number of ancient sites to fire one's imagination, even in this formerly tsunami ravaged coast. This morning we visited a place small in size but huge in history, right on the beach that was severely damaged by the sea in December 2004. In fact, we found that the dunes are creeping up, burying the brick ruins under a thick bed of white sand.
As legend has it Muhudu Maha Viharaya is near where, 2000 years ago, the hero daughter of King of Kelaniya in the south was washed ashore with her entourage after she had volunteered herself as a sacrifice to the gods who needed to be appeased for her father's ill deed. He had had a Buddhist monk who displeased him boiled alive in oil. This cruel act angered the gods so much that they sent huge waves that rushed in and flooded the country. When the sages said that this could be stopped if a princess was sacrificed to the sea the King's daughter, Princess Devi is said to have offered herself as an appeasement to the gods and thereby to save her father and to ensure the safety of the country.
She and her entourage were put in a suitably equipped and decorated boat and cast out to sea. The sea immediately became calm and flood waters quickly receded. The King found himself still the centre of anger, this time from his Queen and citizens who were very angry at the loss of their favourite Princess.
Of course there is a happy ending for the Princess Devi! She and her entourage were finally washed ashore here near Arugum Bay. Not only that, she had the good fortune to land in a wealthy and prosperous kingdom ruled by King Kavantissa. He is said to have been so excited to hear this, from a fisherman who rushed off the beach to alert him to this surprising news, that he had her brought before him in a great procession. When he heard her story and learned of her bravery and loyalty to her father and her country, he decided that these qualities would be an asset for himself and his kingdom and married her. From that time onwards she was named Viharamaha Devi.
Viharamaha Devi, herself a heroine, became the mother of two heroic sons. Dutugemmunu became King of Lanka, fighting off King Elara and building the dagaba at Anuradhapura. He reigned from 161 BC to 137 BC and was succeeded by his brother Saddhatissa after he had disowned his son who, believing him to be a coward rather than a negotiator for peace, sent him women's jewellery.
The temple, partially buried in sand, has a three metre Buddha statue faced by two smaller ones. Legend has it that the smaller ones are the King Kavantissa and Vihara Maha Devi although archeological evidence suggests that it was built in the fifth century AD. Academics believe that the two smaller statues are Bodhisattvas - compassionate enlightened beings who forsake nirvana to remain humans and help others in their human lives.
A King or a Bodhisvatta, it's a story of courage, good luck and power.
Great, inspirational stories are plentiful in Lanka!
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| Muhudu Maha Viharaya, Pottuvil |
She and her entourage were put in a suitably equipped and decorated boat and cast out to sea. The sea immediately became calm and flood waters quickly receded. The King found himself still the centre of anger, this time from his Queen and citizens who were very angry at the loss of their favourite Princess.
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| Viharamaha Devi, Arugum Bay |
Viharamaha Devi, herself a heroine, became the mother of two heroic sons. Dutugemmunu became King of Lanka, fighting off King Elara and building the dagaba at Anuradhapura. He reigned from 161 BC to 137 BC and was succeeded by his brother Saddhatissa after he had disowned his son who, believing him to be a coward rather than a negotiator for peace, sent him women's jewellery.
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| Muhudu Maha Viharaya, Pottuvil |
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| Muhudu Maha Viharaya, Arugum Bay |
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| Buddha Statue, Muhudu Maha Viharaya, Arugum Bay, Pottuvil |
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| Muhudu Maha Viharaya, Pottuvil |
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| Muhudu Maha Viharaya, Arugum Bay, Pottuvil |
Great, inspirational stories are plentiful in Lanka!
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