Nuwarakalawiya(Rajarata/Anuradhapura)

Sri lanka is an Island Country situated in the Indian Ocean, close to India and has a history of more than 2500 years. The first settlement has been commenced near Malwathuoya River, by the name of the then Minister " Anuradha" and later it was named as “Anuradhapura”(Nuwarakalawiya). This was the first capital city of Sri Lanka, which dates backs to 5th to 6th century (B.C) With the introduction of Buddhism, the city was developed which parks, ponds, lakes and with religious buildings and later it became the administrative centre in the ancient Sri Lanka. With planting of the tree of Sri Maha Bodhi, added and additional religious value to the city. It is a significant feature, that the ancient capital cities of Sri Lanka, was developed connected with a cultural value.

The “Nuwarakalawiya” is located in the North central Province i.e. North to Sri Lanka about 225 Km. away to the North of "Colombo". The city is well connected with regional towns of Vavuniya from North, Kurunegala from South, Trincomalee and Polonnaruwa from East and Mannar from West. Several kings had the privilege of enforcing their ruling powers to the whole country from Anuradhapura. In that case this region is called “Rajarata” (Raja = king, rata = country) It is the first human settlement town in Sri Lanka along the river of Malwatta Oya. The religious impotency of this town grew with the planting of the sacred Boo Tree with the introduction of Buddhism to Sri Lanka, Now one of the oldest trees in the world, Anuradhapura became a sacred city with the Administrative capital since then. The fall of Anuradhapura began with the shifting of capital city to Polonnaruwa. The ancient capital became ruined.

Sathpena Nagaya

Sathpena Nagaya
Symbol of Secure (B.C. 300)

See the Glory of Rajarata

See the Glory of Rajarata
( Sthupes build B.C 300)

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Godess Thara

Goddess Tara

THE GODDESS TARA

The original bronze statue dating back to the 7th or 8th century A.D was found in the north-east of Lanka between Trincomalee and Batticaloa. Its total height is 143.75 cm or 56.6 inches.

Her right hand is in the gesture of vara mudra and her left hand is in the gesture of vitarka mudra. The marked contrast of the slender waist against heavy breasts and hips is the ideal of feminine beauty. The goddess, dignified and graceful in this manifestation, represents the chastity and virtue and the embodiment of love, compassion, and mercy.

The statue has a high head-dress from which a jewel is missing. The statues of the Avalokitesvara have a cameo effigy of the Tathagata (Buddha) Amitabha in the head-dress in a similar location. This may have led to the popular identification of this statue as his consort, the goddess Tara,

thara deviya (Godess Thara)

thara deviya (Godess Thara)

Awalokitheshwara bodhisathwa

Awalokitheshwara bodhisathwa
Bodhisathwa Concept is a very powerful Concept in Buddhism. But in therawada, there is not such a space for the Concept. Bodhisathwa is the One who gethering Skills to attaining Nibbana in holly three bodhis.

Tuesday, September 23, 2008

Silver Coins In Anciant Sri lanka

punch_mark_reverse

The earliest reference to the usage of coins in Lanka is found in the Buddhist Literature which mentions types of coins issued in the 3rd century BC. These earliest known coins were small pieces of metal, generally of silver, punched with a common Royal mark. The metal were thereafter subjected to further punching with marks of various institutions. These punched marked metal are referred to as `purana' (Sanskrit for old) and Englished as `eldling'.

The eldlings were manufactured by subdividing bars of metal or strips cut from a hammered sheet, the weight being adjusted where necessary by clipping the corners of each coin so formed.
These archaic coins were probably issued by "local authorities - money-changes or merchants" and were submitted by them for the approval of the local king or governor, whose stamp appears on the reverse. The marks on the reverse are usually fewer in number, in the great number of cases one only, are less distinct, and frequently smaller.

The obverse once blank, is usually covered with punch marks, often overlapping and clearly impressed at different times by successive money-changes whose hands they passed in the course of circulation. No less than 189 different markings have been traced in the eldlings found in various parts of Lanka. See display in Colombo Museum.