This is located in the Ella District Secretariat Division of the Badulla District of the Uva Province on a hillock at a short distance from the main road to Halpe.
According to the belief coming down the generations, this Devale had been shifted from its original location in Hettipola, which is not far from the present site.
The Devale roof is supported on elegantly carved timber columns with lotus bracket capitals. Its inner chamber has clay walls. The section of the building known as Maligava is a two-storied timber structure and the upper floor could be accessed by a wooden ladder.
Its walls are of timber panels supported on stone columns and beams. Between the timber columns is a latticed fence. On the ground floor a sandalwood statue of Pattini Goddess and deposited beside it are processional lances, lamps and water containers.
The carvings in this Devale depict the typical Kandyan tradition. The door frame of the entrance to one of the corridors is adorned with a Makara Torana and the images of doorkeepers. The Devale premises have an ancient Bhodhigara and the structure of an ancient temple. The evidence that a parapet enclosing all these items had been in existence is visible. This site not only displays the archaeological significance of the area but also as a place subject to veneration. The Archaeological Department has declared the Devale as a protected monument.
Currently, the devalaya is open only during festival seasons only.
According to Rajawaliya, King Gajabahu (112-134) had invaded the Chola country in India to free up 12,000 Sinhalese prisoners who had been captured during an invasion during his father, Vankanasika Tissa’s reign. Along with the freed prisoners, he had brought back an additional 12,000 Chola prisoners and the anklets of goddess Pattini back to Sri Lanka.
According to legend, it is said that this devalaya was built by King Gajabahu depositing the anklets brought from India.
Also See
- Tampita Vihara of Sri Lanka Index
- Ancient Heritage Sites of Sri Lanka
- Other Places of Interest Within Close Proximity
Map of Halpe Pattini Devalaya at Ella
The map above also shows other places of interest within a approximately 20 km radius of the current site. Click on any of the markers and the info box to take you to information of these sites
Zoom out the map to see more surrounding locations using the mouse scroll wheel or map controls.
Travel Directions to Halpe Pattini Devalaya at Ella
The Pattini Devale at Halpe lies surrounded by green paddy fields about 300 meters away from the Bandarawela Badulla Road. Bandarawela lies 10.5 km away and Badulla is 17.5 km away from the devalaya. A large signboard installed by the Uva Province Ministry of Tourism can be seen at the turn off to this site.
Route from Bandarawela to Pattini Devale at Halpe |
Through : Badulla Road Distance : 11 km Travel time : 25 mins Driving directions : see on google map |