Isurumuniya is a

Buddhist Buddhism ( , ), also known as Buddha Dharma and Dharmavinaya (), is an Indian religion or philosophical tradition based on teachings attributed to the Buddha. It originated in northern India as a -movement in the 5th century BCE, and ...

temple A temple (from the Latin ) is a building reserved for spiritual rituals and activities such as prayer and sacrifice. Religions which erect temples include Christianity (whose temples are typically called churches), Hinduism (whose temples ...

situated near to the Tissa Wewa (Tisa tank) in

Anuradhapura Anuradhapura ( si, අනුරාධපුරය, translit=Anurādhapuraya; ta, அனுராதபுரம், translit=Aṉurātapuram) is a major city located in north central plain of Sri Lanka. It is the capital city of North Central ...

, Sri Lanka. There are four carvings of special interest in this Vihara. They are the Isurumuniya Lovers, Elephant Pond and The Royal Family.

History

The ancient Meghagiri Vihara or Meygiri Vihara is presently identified as the Isurumuni Vihara. It was built by King

Devanampiya Tissa Tissa, later Devanampiya Tissa, was one of the earliest kings of Sri Lanka based at the ancient capital of Anuradhapura from 247 BC to 207 BC. His reign was notable for the arrival of Buddhism in Sri Lanka under the aegis of the Mauryan ...

(307 BC to 267 BC) who ruled in the ancient Sri Lankan capital of

. After 500 children of high-caste were ordained, Isurumuniya was built for them to reside. King Kasyapa I (473-491 AD) again renovated this viharaya and named it as "Boupulvan, Kasubgiri Radmaha Vehera" giving the names of his 2 daughters and his name. There is a viharaya connected to a cave and above is a cliff. A small stupa is built on it. It can be seen that the constructional work of this stupa belongs to the present period. Lower down on both sides of a cleft, in a rock that appears to rise out of a pool, have been carved the figures of elephants. On the rock is carved the figure of a horse. The carving of Isurumuniya lovers on the slab has been brought from another place and placed it there. A few yards away from this vihara is the Ranmasu Uyana.

Archaeological ruins

‘Siddha mahayaha kuni – maha (la) ka Asala yaha (di) ni’ ail! The cell of Mahaya is given to Venerable Asalaya The above Brahmi inscription was inscribed at the original place where the Isurumuniya Lovers were originally sculptured and placed. It is a special one as a letter in this inscription is 3 inches x 4 inches in size. After donating Vessagiriya to Maha Sangha this sculpture would have been removed and placed at its present place. The Lovers in the sculptured plaque are King Kuvera Vaisrawana and his Queen Kuni. Ramayana states that Vaisrawana who lived in Vessagiriya ruled Sri Lanka from Lankapura before Rawana.''Sri Lanka Rawana Rajadhaniya'', by Sri Harsha Indrasena, Appendix 3

Royal Family Carving

*Place: Isurumuniya Viharaya *Century: 8th century A.D *Period: Anuradhapura Period *Tradition: ''Guptha Kala'' (mystic) *Medium: Granite *Method: low relief "''Ardha Unnata''" The Royal Family carving is carved on a Granite plate.There are five human figures carved on this plate. The human figure in the center is King Dutugamunu, who has a tall crown on his head and a "''puna noola''" around his chest. At his left are another two human figures. They are fanning him with a "''Wijinipath''"

Elephant Pond Carving

*Place: Isurumuniya Rock *Century: 7th century A.D *Period: Anuradhapura Period *Tradition: ''Pallawa'' *Medium: Granite *Method: low relief "''Ardha Unnata''" There are four elephants in this carving. It shows them bathing. The elephant figures here are very similar to the elephant figures in "''Mamallapuram''" In India. SL Anuradhapura asv2020-01 img21 Isurumuniya Temple.jpg, Isurumuniya temple front view SL Anuradhapura asv2020-01 img20 Isurumuniya Temple.jpg, Interior of Isurumuniya temple Lovers of Isurumuniya.jpg, Isurumuniya Lovers-Pem-Yuwala-Dutugemunu's son Saliya and the low caste (Sadol Kula) maiden Asokamala whom he loved Isurumuniya Royal Family.jpg, Royal Family carving in the Isurumuniya Viharaya Bathing Elephants of Isurumuniya.jpg, Elephant pond carving in Isurumuniya

References

External links