We’ve been living in Gampaha District and close to Gampaha city for
decades, perhaps not known its importance in terms of geographically and
archeologically. This was previously named “Siyane Korale” and its history goes
back to Anuradhapura era and beyond that. There are several historical temples
and places close to Gampaha city, particularly in and around Yakkala,
Kiridiwela, Nittabuwa and Veyangoda.
We visited Dadagamuwa Temple in July 2014. (Visit my blog: - http://simple-travels.blogspot.com/2014/07/pansal-01-dadagamuwa-temple-july-2014.html). I categorised this visit as “Pansal” but it can also be marked as one of the Heritages in Gampaha District. Thereby “Dikkanda-Pettagam Gala” is considered as Heritage of Gampaha District_02.
Briefing;
Date :– 08 February 2015
Time :– Evening
Crew :– Podi Malli and Me
Transport :– By Bike
Route :– This place can be reached from turning Dikkanda Junction to Urapola Road (B434). Dikkanda Junction is on the Yakkala-Kiridiwela Road.
Note :– We started in evening around 5 o’clock from Weeragula. I told Podi Malli my idea and then he got the location by calling one of his friends and got there by inner roads. Netha was not accompanied due to time constrain.
“Pettagam Gala” rock is on a top of a hill and there is a Monastery
called “Isiwara Thapo Wanaya”. This hill is surrounded by a small jungle and
most of part of the hill consists of rocks. There is a steep climb to the rock and the road is concreted, but it is
difficult to go to the top by a car or van, easiest way is to go by a bike or
on foot.
There are several monks in the Monastery and they do medication at this
place. We met chief monk and got some information about historic value of the place
and the Monastery. According to Loku Hamuduruwo, this place is called “Pettagam
Gala” because of the specific shape of the rock at the top of the hill, which
is like a “Pettagama”. This rock is visible to an extent, where we saw it from Urapola-Dikkanda road. This place was believed to be used by King Walagamba
before his reign to organize his army and build temples in this vicinity like
Warana, Maligakanda and Pilikuththawa etc. Further it was told King Kept his
treasury in a cave right under the “Pettagam Gala” and Gala was used as main security
of the treasury, where it was arranged to roll down the Pettagam Gala at any threaten.
Loku Hamuduwo told about the present situation of the place and according
to him the main threat is the quarry. This place is victim by the quarry and its
noise disturbs the medicating monks and it will destruct the historic cave
under the Pettagam Gala in near future. There are few buildings constructed at
this place to facilitate the meditating monks and devotees. A separate place is
built for "Mehenin Wahane" as well. There is a Stupa on the Pettagam Gala, which was
buit by Loku Hamuduwo. This was done in golden colour and it is called “Golden
Stupa”. According to him, this was constructed after his visit to Myanmar and
he saw a same structure on a famous temple in Myanmar.
When it is closely looked at, Pettagam gala is barely touched the
underneath of the base rock. I’ve not seen such a place before other than on TV
(The place in Myanmar, visited by Loku Hamuduruwo). But Podi Malli said he hardly
remember same place in Sri Lanka. We enjoyed the tranquility of the place and scenery.
Sunset and the panoramic view were amazing. Since it was getting dark we
did not climb down to the cave.
We left the place with our memories and planned to visit other archaeological places around Yakkala again in a next time.
Visit flickr for pics - https://www.flickr.com/photos/97932574@N06/sets/72157651526146529/
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