The kingdom of Yapahuwa is one of the hidden heritage treasure in Sri Lanka. Yapahuwa is located halfway between Kurunagala and Anurdhapura. The Yapahuwa complex comprised of a Rock Fortress, Royal Palace and Buddist temple.
History
The citadel of Yapahuwa (Yapawwa) Sri Lanka was the capital of the country for a 11 years 1273 to 1284. inthe latter part of 13th century and in 1272 king Buwanekabahu who had to deal with drvidian invasion in suthern India, decided to move the capital from Dambadeniya to Yapahuwa.Prior to King Bhuwanekabahu moving out of Polonnaruwa in 1272, Yapahuwa served as a milittary outpost for General Subhapobbota ( Subha) around 1215 AD. when Bhuwanekabahu died in 1284 , the invaders managed to conquer the relic, Yapahuwa was gradually abandoned and become the refuge of Buddist monks.
Architecture
The rock city of Yapahuwa rises abruptly out of the surrounding landscape and has been compared to the Sigiriya rock fortress through on a much smaller scale.it is built on a rock 90 m above the surrounding plain. The Layout of the Yapahuwa rock citadel is in several layers, a bird's eye view shows the outer moat with entrence inner moat ramparts the temple complex the inner city buildings and the starecase leading to the "Dalada Maligawa" where the tooth relic was kept. The outer and fortifications of Yapahuwa complex is one what encounters first, aftrer passing the sentinel points one arrives at the second mode. The remains of the brick rampart and fortifications still existes. among many remains still visible in Yapahuwa, the monumental staircase leading to the platform of the tooth temple is the biggest jewel. One has to negotiate steep gradient of steeps constructed at a 70 degree angle. it is conjectured that was deliberate attempt to slow down any foreign forces.
Art and Crafts
The balustrade with a series of exquisite carvings can be seen in the top level of the staircase. The top as a door frame in granite. This tool is an outstanding example of workmanship and carvings in stone. The carvings found in the upper section include dancers, drummers, female forms , dwarfs , lions and elephant shapes. Evidence of these crafts and carvings suggests that king Buwanekabahu's kingdom had stron links with China on a diplomatic level. Seremal items of chinese ceramics also have been uncovered during early excavations and expert have determined to be discovered in this country. One of the mythical and stylized lion form carved in granite either side of third level of staircase and this style of sculpture only found in Yapahuwa and the chinees influence is visible in those sculptures.
As a ancient heritage sites of Sri Lanka the Kingdom of Yapahuwa is a place that should put on the bucket list of heritage travelers as Yapahuwaq has more than one attraction to offer the visitor. placed as it is in a relatively isolated corner of sri Lanka 's cultural triangle.
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