A WISHLIST!!!
India, esp. Southern India and Sri Lanka have always had a connection. No, I'm not going political. I've never gone political in this blog and I won't ever!!! Anyways, the heritage part of it, Southern India and Sri Lanka is almost same in their ancient-ness and style of art, architecture etc!!!!
To begin with, there was Kumari Kandam (Lemuria), a hypothetical subcontinent now submerged in Indian Ocean, connecting India, Sri Lanka and Madagascar where the first 2 Sangam literatures were born. However, solid evidence for our connections begin in 3rd C BCE, when Emperor Ashoka traveled to Sri Lanka to spread Buddhism. 3 main heritage sites that's been in my bucket list are Sigiriya, Polonnaruwa and Anuradhapura. All 3 places came under UNESCO protected historical ruins sites in 1988.
![]()
Anuradhapura is extremely holy for Buddhists. This is where Ashoka's daugher Sanghamitta brought and planted a portion of Buddha's Tree of Enlightenment in 3rd C BC. This place was the capital city of Sri Lanka for 1300 years till end of 10th C. To begin with, Anuradhapura has some pre-historic rock art. In 5th - 3rd C BCE, the place was formally planned and became the headquarters under King Pandukhabhaya. Several Dagobas similar to our own Sanchi Stupa were built, which stand today too, in ruins.
Pic Courtesy: Bernard Gagnon via Wikimedia Commons
Pic Courtesy: Bernard Gagnon via Wikimedia Commons
Pic Courtesy: Schnobby via Wikimedia Commons
Though it became a fort in 5th C, even since 3rd C BCE, it would have been a place where Buddhist Monks stay (isn't the location and site similar to the Jain Beds?). The best part of Sigiriya is not the architecture, but the murals. These murals have a very close semblance to Ajanta Frescoes of India. Maybe the Buddhist monks under Ashoka might have painted them when they went to Srilanka to propagate Buddhism. By end of 5th C CE, King Kasappa was defeated by King Mugalan who moved the capital back to Anuradhapura.
Pic Courtesy: Simon Frost via Wikimedia Commons
Polonnaruwa became the capital city from early 11th C CE. By this time the Cholas who ruled Southern India had also conquered portions of Sri Lanka. Under Chola rule, a couple of Hindu temples were also built here which were later destroyed and some ruins are still seen. Under King Rajaraja Chola I (yes, the same guy who built the famous Tanjore Brahadeeswara Temple) this place became the capital city for the next half century, after which it was again taken over by King Vijayabahu. However, he chose to continue keeping Polonnaruwa as the capital which it was till 14th C CE. The most important place here is the temple that houses the Tooth Relic of Buddha!
Pic Courtesy: Bernard Gagnon via Wikimedia Commons
I dunno why, but visiting ruins is so close to my heart. I had a very heart felt moment at Dholavira. May be coz that's the life of our own forefathers! Looking forward to get a good budget deal on the Flight Tickets. Once I get that, it is time to get a Sri Lanka Visa, pack my bags and set off to see all these places all by myself!!!