Badulla City
Badulla: Scenic town in Sri Lanka's hill country, surrounded by lush tea plantations and offering picturesque landscapes, waterfalls, and cultural sites.
Divurumpola Temple
Divurumpola is a Buddhist Temple located close to Welimada town (4 KM) on Nuwara Eliya – Badulla main road in the Central Province of Sri Lanka. Divrumpola temple or Divrumpola Raja Maha Viharaya is directly connected with Ramayana trail in Sri Lanka. According to the Ramayana in Sri Lanka It is believed that Divurumpola temple is the place where Sita underwent the famous fire ordeal Agni Pariksha or “Agni” test in order to prove her chastity to God Rama after being rescued by him where she came unscathed and proved her innocence and purity. Considering these historical factors, Divurumpola is one of the important Ramayana Historical places in Sri Lanka. In Sinhala language Divurumpola means a “Place of oath”.
Divurumpola Temple (Raja Maha Viharaya) is a major religious site for Hindus. This temple is a revered site and hundreds of Hindus visit it daily. Divurumpola Raja Maha Viharaya is also a Buddhist temple and we can find some Buddhist stupas and sculptures of Buddha in the complex. There are sculptures of Hindu God Rama, Devi Sita, and Lord Hanuman here. From here we can clearly see the Isthreepura Mountain where Sita was held captive in a cave castle. So this place is considered as the Ramayana sites in Sri Lanka . Today this Buddhist Temple is worship by both Buddhist and Hindu people of Sri Lanka and this Ramayana Site is considering as one of the Ramayana Historical Place in Sri Lanka.
LocationIt is situated 20 Km from Nuwara Eliya Welimada road which can be accessed by Turn off near 96th Km post.
LegendsLegend Ramayanaya love story says that after message of Ramas victory over Ravana was sent to Sita she was taken on a palanquin before Rama after a bath and adorned with jewels. She was overcome with emotions as she was meeting her husband after such a long time. But Rama seemed lost in thought. Sita was shocked at the word he spoke. “I have killed my enemy. I have done my duty as s true king. But you have lived for a year in this enemy’s abode. It is not proper I take you back now”.
Then sita Devi answered “You have broken my Heart, only the uncultured speak like this. Have you forgotten the noble family I come from? Is it my fault Ravana carried me off by force? All the time my mind, my heart, and soul were fixed on you alone, my lord!
Ramayanaya facts states that she turned with tears streaming from her eyes to Lakshmana and said Please prepare a fire for me. That will be the only remedy for this no softening, he lighted a big fire. Sita reverently went round her husband and approached the blazing fire joining her palms in salutation, with these words she jumped into the flames and said, “If I am pure, fire will protect me.” From the flames arose the fire god Agni who was invoked by Sita. He lifted her from the flames unharmed and presented her Lord Rama.
Significant of DivurumpolaA sapling of the Anuradhapura Bodhi tree was planted as a mark of respect this place. A small dagoda (Stupa or Pagoda type building) has been built subsequently under the Bodhi tree. The temple there depicts paintings of the Ramayanaya story Sri Lanka related stories. After the sacred site of Ashok Vatika, this place of Divurumpola is the second most crucial site in the Ramayana Yatra sites in Sri Lanka.
Special places in Badulla
-
Muthiyangana Raja Maha Vihara
Muthiyanganaya Raja Maha Viharaya lies in the centre of the city of Badulla. The History of this temple goes back to the time of Buddha but this area around Badulla goes way back in to the time of 19th -18th century BCE.
-
Dowa Raja Maha Viharaya
Dowa Raja Maha Viharaya (Dowa Cape Temple) lies few kilometres away from the Bandarawela town on the Bandarawela – Badulla Road. This temple is thought to be done by King Walagamba in the in first century BC.
-
Bogoda Wooden Bridge
The Bogoda Wooden Bridge was built in the 16th century during the Dambadeniya era. This is said to be the oldest surviving wooden bridge in Sri Lanka. The bridge is situated at 7 kilometres (4.3 mi) west of Badulla.
-
Dunhinda Falls
Dunhinda Falls is situated about 5 km away from Badulla town. It is 63 meters high and is considered to be one of the most beautiful waterfalls in Sri Lanka. The falls gets its name dew to the smoky dew drops spray.
About Badulla District
Badulla is the capital of Uva Province in Sri Lanka. Badulla is located on the southeast of Kandy, almost encircled by the Badulu Oya , about 680 meters (2200 ft) above sea level and is surrounded by tea plantations. The town is overshadowed by the Namunukula range of mountains. Badulla is about 230km away from Colombo towards the eastern slopes of central hills of Sri Lanka.
Badulla and surroundings are highly recommended for eco-tourists as Horton Plains National Park and the Knuckles mountains are few hours away.
About Uva Province
The Uva Province is Sri Lanka's second least populated province, with 1,187,335 people, created in 1896. It consists of two districts called Badulla and Moneragala The provincial capital is Badulla. Uva is bordered by Eastern, Southern and Central provinces. Its major tourist attractions are Dunhinda Falls, Diyaluma Falls, Rawana Falls, the Yala National Park (lying partly in the Southern and Eastern Provinces) and Gal Oya National Park (lying partly in the Eastern Province). The Gal Oya hills and the Central Mountains are the main uplands, while the Mahaweli and Menik rivers and the huge Senanayake Samudraya and Maduru Oya Reservoirs are the major waterways in Uva province.
【Text by Lakpura™. Images by Google, copyright(s) reserved by original authors.】