Kelaniya
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Kelaniya is a small town very close to Colombo, the capital of Sri Lanka. It is in Gampaha District, close to the road between Colombo and Kandy and Biyagama road. It is sited on the Kelani River, which takes its name from the town. It is known for the Buddhist temple built on the banks of the river]. It is a cult-centre for god Vibhishana.
Kelaniya (Kalyani) is mentioned in the Buddhist chronicle, the Mahawamsa which states that the Gautama Buddha (5th century BCE) visited the place, after which the dagoba of the temple was built.[1]
The town is also of historical importance as the capital of a provincial king Kelani Tissa (1st century BCE) whose daughter, Vihara Maha Devi was the mother of king Dutugemunu, regarded as the most illustrious of the 186 or so kings of Sri Lanka between the 5th century BCE and 1815.[1]
Sri Lankan Buddhists believe that the Buddha visited Kelaniya in order to quell a quarrel between two Nāga leaders of two warring factions: Chulodara (literally "the small-bellied one") and Mahodara (literally "the big-bellied one"). They were quarrelling over a jewel-encrusted throne. After the Buddha showed them the futility of their quarrel they converted to Buddhism and together offered the throne to the Buddha. It is believed that the Dagoba (pagoda or Buddhist temple) seen today was built with the throne as a relic inside.
In about the 15th century, Kelaniya was described in the Sandesa Kavyas (missive poems) as a beautiful city. In the sælalihini sandesaya of Totagamuwe Sri Rahula, a Myna is ordered to carry the missive to the god Vibhishana at his temple in Kelaniya. According to the Ravana Katha of Wickramasinghe Adigar, after the defeat of Ravana, Vibhishana transferred the Yaksha capital from Alakamandawa to Kelaniya.[2] Vibhishana continues to be worshipped by a diminishing number of adherents, mainly in the Kelaniya area.[3]
Of late the Kelaniya Raja Maha Vihara has become famous because of the beautiful paintings and sculpture by Solias Mendis depicting various events in the history of Sri Lanka. Thousands of Buddhists come to see the Buddhist pageant of Kelaniya, popularly referred to as Duruthu Maha Perahera of Kelaniya in the month of November/December and January every year.
Kelaniya is a small town very close to Colombo and is situated between Peliyagoda and Kiribathgoda on the Colombo Kandy Road and covers a very wide area. Kelaniya proper however is about 3 Kim. away from the Colombo Kandy Road and is situated on the Banks of Kelani River and can be approached to on Peliyagoda Biyagama Road The Kelaniya Railway Station is however in very close proximity to the Colombo Kandy Road. Kelaniya has a long history running down to the time of the Buddha (5th century BC). It has become famous because of the historic Buddhist Temple built on the banks of Kelani River. ( River Kelani got it?s name because it is passing through Kelaniya). Kelaniya is also associated as the capital of a provincial king Kelani Tissa ( 1st BC) whose daughter , Vihara Maha Devi was the mother of king Dutu Gemunu the most illustrious and revered King among the 186 or so kings of Sri Lanka who ruled Sri Lanka between 5th Century BC up to 1815 . Buddhists of Sri Lanka believe that Lord Buddha visited Kelaniya once in order to quell a quarrel between two leaders of two warring factions. The names of the two leaders are Chulodara ( Small bellied One) and Mahodara (Big bellied one). They were quarrelling for a chair full of jewels. Lord Buddha brought them to their senses and preached the futility of their quarrel. They became Buddhists and both of them thereafter offered the Chair to the Buddha. It is believed that the Dagoba (Pagoda) still seen was built with the chair as a relic inside. Around the 15th century, Kelaniya has been described in the Sandesa Kavyas as a beautiful city. Of late Kelaniya Temple has become famous because of the beautiful paintings of Solias Mendis depicting various events in the history of Sri Lanka. Thousands of Buddhists come to see the Buddhist Pageant of Kelaniya popularly referred to as Duruthu Maha Perahera of Kelaniya in the month of ovember/December every year. University of Kelaniya is situated near the Colombo Kandy Road at Kelaniya
The University of Kelaniya is situated at Kelaniya near the Colombo-Kandy Road.
[edit] References
- ^ a b Wilhelm Geiger (Tr), The Mahavamsa, or The Great Chronicle of Ceylon, Oxford, OUP, 1920. http://lakdiva.org/culavamsa/vol_0.html
- ^ Dr. Mirando Obeysekere, Was Maya Dannawa the architect of Sigiriya?, Daily News, 6 March 2003. http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~lkawgw/mdannawa.html
- ^ Nandasena Ratnapala, Folklore of Sri Lanka, State Printing Corporation, Colombo, 1991; ISBN 955610089X
[edit] External links
Coordinates: 06°57′00″N 79°54′00″E / 6.95°N 79.9°E
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