The Visit to this Sri Dalada Maligawa also known as The temple of Sacred Tooth Relic, a Buddhist Temple, at Kandy in Sri Lanka was a part of Sri Lanka’s ( Ezha Nadu ) Paadal Petra sthalangal Visit scheduled on 28th November to 2nd December 2013. Utilising this opportunity, we have Visited some, Shiva, Murugan, Amman Temples and Epic Ramayan associated sites of Sri Lanka.
After Darshan of Lord Sri Soma Sundareswarar, we had been to a Buddhist Temple – Sri Dalada Maligawa at Kandy. The meaning of Kandy is Sanyasi City. ( Kandy – Senkatapura, Senkata = Sanyasi, Pura = City ). The river Manavali flows around the city Kandy. This temple is one of the UNESCO Heritage site of Sri Lanka, declared in 1988. The Sacred Tooth Relic, which is housed at this Temple, is being considered and worshipped as the living God Buddha. It is interesting to note that Buddha had visited tree times to SRI LANKA.
ARCHITECTURE
The temple is inside the palace of Kandy Kingdom. The architecture is of unique kandyan architecture style used to build this “Dalada Mandira” the shrines which housed the Sacred Tooth Relic, previously in other kingdoms. The Tooth Relic is kept at the centre of the building in first floor, which is made of wood with intricate carvings.
A Brick was built along the moat and the Bogambara lake is called water waves wall. The wall has the provision to light oil lamps. The main entrance gate with steps, which lies over the moat is called Mahawahalkada. There is a Sandakada pahana ( moon stone ), carved in Kandyan style architecture is at the foot steps of Mahawahalkada entrance. This was destroyed during 1998 bombing and the same was rebuilt with new Sandakada pahana stone carvings. Stone elephants are installed on both sides of the entrance. Makara thorana is on the top and Dwarapalakas / guardian on both sides are at the staircase.
A Hewisi drummers chamber is in front of the shrine. The lower / ground floor is called as Palle Malaya and the 1st floor / upper floor is called as Udu malaya or weda hitina maligawa. The entrance doors of these floors are with ivory carvings.
The main shrine or the chamber in which Sacred Tooth Relics is known as “Handun Kunama”. The shrine is adorned with intricate carvings using gold, Silver, bronze and Ivory. A golden canopy is installed over the golden caskets where the Sacred Tooth Relic kept and a Golden fence was erected in 1987 by the then Prime minister Ranasinghe Premadasa. The Sacred Tooth Relic is encased in seven golden caskets studded with gem stones. The Golden caskets are in the shape of stupa. The procession casket used during the Kandy Esala Perahera / procession is also kept along with the golden caskets.
The associated buildings and structures are Royal Palace also known as Maligawa ( Used as a Royal residence by the kings, now it serves as archaeological museum ), Audience hall also known as magul maduwa ( the place where the Kandyan kings held their court, now used to conduct state ceremonies and is being maintained by the archaeological Department ) and a Mahamaluwa, which contains the statue of Madduma Bandara, the memorial that contains the skull of Keppetipola Disawe. The statues of Hemamala and the Price Dantha are also in Mahamaluwa.
HISTORY AND INSCRIPTIONS
As per Maha Parinibbana sutta of Deegha Chapter, among few other sacred relics, the four sacred tooth relics remained intact following Mahaprinirvana. Lord Buddha’s left canine tooth out of the four Tooth Relics which was blessed Sri Saddhamma for 45 years was brought to Sri Lanka due to the Continuous conflicts during the reign of King Mutaseewa in the Kingdom of Kalinga. The Scared Tooth Relic was brought to Sri Lanka by the Princess Hemamala and Prince Dantha from the city of Kalinga during the reign of the King Keerthi Sri Meghavarna ( Kithsrimewan 301- 328 CE ) It has become the symbol of Sri Lankan Kings and was preciously guarded in a special Shrine built within the Palace, wherever the capital was located, in other words the Sacred Tooth relic decides the Kingdom and the Capital where it is Kept. The Tooth relics was kept previously at Anuradhapura, Polonnaruwa, Dambadeniya, Yapahuwa,Kurunegala, Kotte and Gampola and finally at Kandy Kingdom.
Princess Hemamala and Prince Dantha
The first “Dalada Madura” in Kandy, which housed the Sacred Tooth Relic was built by King Wimaladharmasuriya-I ( 1592 – 1604). This was destroyed by the Portuguese during their invasion. The second temple was built in the same location by the King Rajasinghe-II ( 1635 – 1687 ), which was burnt by Dutch. The Dalada history says in year 1687, the King Wimaladharmasuriya-II built a 3 storeyed Dalada Madura and performed Dalada rituals with great devotion but the building was decayed and destroyed. Latter his son King Sri Vira Parakrama Narendrasinghe ( 1707 – 1739 CE ), built a 2 storeyed Dalada Madura which exists even today.
The South Indian Kings ( Probably the Chozha Kings – Rajaraja-I, or Pandyas.. ? ) who ruled the country from Senkadagala renovated and protected the shrine. Again the temple was finely renovated and beautified by the king Keerthi Sri Rajasinghe to its present appearance.
Paththirippuwa or the Octagonal Pavilion was constructed by the king Sri Wickrama Rajasinghe ( 1798 – 1815 ).
The affairs of the Sacred Tooth Relic temple, which include conducting religious rituals is being maintained by three Chief custodians, the most Venerable Mahanayake Theros of Malwatta and Asgiriya Chapters and Diyawadana Nilame. These Malwatta and Asgiriya monastic establishments are closely associated with this Sacred Tooth Relic Temple.
The Kandy Sri Somasundareswarar Temple 11 days annual utsavam, the procession will stop at this temple and the priest will do pooja to the tooth Relic of Buddha.
The temple was damaged to certain extend due to bombing by Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna in 1989 and Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam in 1998. The temple was restored back after both attacks.
LEGENDS
It is believed that the tooth relic of Buddha plays an important role in Politics. Whoever holds the Relic will also holds the Governance of the Country. Also it was told that the place where the tooth relic is always considered as a Capital of that Country and custodian will be a King who rules the whole country. The history records that many battles were happened to retain or to get the Tooth Relic.
POOJAS AND CELEBRATIONS
Daily three services conducted, they are, morning 5.30 hrs to 7.00 hrs, Midday Service 9.30 hrs to 11.00 hrs and Evening Service 6.30 hrs to 20.00 hrs. The Services are changed once in a year after the Esala full moon Poya day, between Theros of Malwathu and Asgiri Chapters. Inventories are taken and formal handing over and taking over ceremonies are conducted.
Morning service.. The service starts around 5.15 hrs with beating of Hewisi drums. Since the service is conducted as per the schedule, those who came to attend has to wait till the Silver and Golden doors are opened by the care takers. The offerings like Jasmine flowers or “Saman Pichcha” and other offerings to the living Buddha ie the Tooth relic is done in a systematic manner. This is done by starting with Silver and Gold vessels with great care, devotion and respect by the authorized monk.
Midday Service ... The monks who had done the morning service, will do this service too. After the oil lamps are lit, the withered flowers are removed. The official called “Geparala” hand over the Jasmine Flowers or “Saman Pichcha” in a Silver tray. The other officials or the monks will bring the meals or “Buddha Pooja” with conch blowers. The removal of the vessels will also be done by the same monk. During offerings ceremonial drumming or “Magul Bera” are played. Then the doors are closed after the respective official inspects that everything is in order.
Evening Service.... The evening service starts with Hewisi sound. Withered flowers are removed and fresh flowers are offered. In this service Juices or “Gilan Pasa and other offerings like a mixture of Sugar, Sukiri and sugary sap of Kithul palm or “Althelijja” is offered in a small goblets. Also Honey, Ginger Juice and Ghee are offered in a combination through Silver and Gold goblets. There are two Gilanpasa offering is done. The second Gilanpasa offering started during the period of King Keerthi Sri Rajasinghe.
Amuthu Muluthen Poojawa... This was a custom followed in the King’s Palace, as a part of Kings respect to the Living Buddha ie the Tooth Relic. For this Pooja 32 Serus of rice ( ancient measurement ) was cooked and now this was reduced to 16 Serus. In addition 32 curries are prepared.
Weekly Service... The “Nanumura” ceremony or “Nanumura Mangallaya” is preformed on every Wednesday. During this service two service women called “Alatti Amma” will recite poems in praise of Buddha. A small silver casket is used to symbolize the relic casket. The shadow of the casket is made to fall on a mirror which is bathed with fragrant herbal concoction. After the ceremony the fragrant bath concoction is distributed to the devotees. It is believed that this has the healing power. Finally flowers are offered to the Relic Casket.
There are 4 main traditional annual festivals and rituals are conducted to bless the agricultural based country with timely rains and prosperity, of the temple of Sacred Tooth Relic. They are, new harvest festival conducted in January ( Duruthu ), the new year festival in April ( Bak ), Esala Perahera festival in July or August ( Esala or Nikini ) and Karthika Festival in November.
Festival of New Rice ( New Harvest festival ).... This is the last festival in the Sinhalese calendar. The Rice with milk is offered to the Sacred tooth relic. During Kings period the King will directly do that. Nowadays the Custodian Diyawadana Nilame will distribute rice to 91 Temples and devalas. 80 Serus rice with milk will be offered at this Sacred Tooth Relic on the Duruthu Full Moon Poya day.
New Year Festival.... This is the first festival in the month of April as per the Sinhalese Calendar. On new year day apart from usual offerings, everything will be offered which consists of 5 activities. They are New Holy bath, Boiling of milk, preparing food items and oil anointing ceremony. These are done for the abundance of prosperity to the country and its people.
There are lot of paintings and Murals. One such painting was about the function to get rain. Persons with whip /chavukku, fire lamps, Sri Lankan nadhaswaram and drums, Elephant with relic goes in procession. This signifies the Thunder, Lightning, Wind and rain clouds ( Elephants ).
The Esala Perahera Festival.... This is considered as a most historic Cultural Event in the world. Apart from daily rituals the Dalada Perahera, which is based on Buddhist respect and kindness, compiled with rituals of Devala, prioritizing the ultimate humanity. The Kandy Esala Perahera casket which is considered as living Lord Buddha which parades the streets on the of highly decorated Elephants, is worshiped with divinity, humanity. The Sinhalese music instrument Hewisi will be played in front of the procession. Oil lamps will be carried along the procession. This is considered as to be oldest Cultural event in the world and continues with its colourful glamorous splendour making it an out of this world experience.
Karthika Festival... This festival is celebrated in the month of November by having a beautiful Perahera on parade followed by lighted oil Lamps being offered to the Sacred Tooth Relic once the night falls. Oil Lamps will all over the temple complex, which reminds the Diwali festival celebrated by Hindus. During ancient the time the King will directly distribute the oil and nowadays, the custodian Diyawadana Nilame distributes the oil, to the 4 main Devalas of Kandy and some of the listed rural Devalas.
TEMPLE TIMINGS
The three services will be performed between 05.30 hrs to 20.00 hrs.
CONTACT DETAILS
Official web site: https://sridaladamaligawa.lk/
HOW TO REACH
The temple is 2.6 KM from Kandy Railway station, 24 KM from Matale, 73 KM from Dambulla, 135 KM from Colombo and 151 KM from Anuradhapura.
Nearest Railway station is Kandy.
LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE : CLICK HERE
Ref : The Sacred Tooth Temple’s website : https://sridaladamaligawa.lk/
--- OM SHIVAYA NAMA ---
No comments:
Post a Comment