Kuweni was a queen of the Yaksha tribe who lived in Sri Lanka over 3000 years ago when Sri Lanka was inhabited by 3 tribes at that time. Yaksha (Demon) tribe, Naga (Serpent Tribe) and Deva Tribes. In around 500 BC, a prince called Vijaya with his 700 friends exiled from the Kingdom of Lalata in India landed in an area called Thambapanni. This was the same day that the Buddha passed away thousands of kilometres away in the city of Kusinara in India.
Kuweni who was spinning cotton under a tree when Vijaya landed Thambapanni, at first captured all the 700 followers of Vijaya but later assumed the lovely form of a 16-year-old damsel and married Vijaya.
It is believed that they initially lived close to the area in which they landed.
Today, inside Wilpattu National Park lies a vast amount of ruins scattered all over. Near a villu called Kali lies ancient stone ruins which are believed to be the palace complex of Kuweni. However, these stone ruins could well be remains of a building of an ancient Buddhist monastery.
Lone stone pillars, some still standing and some fallen lie buried covered in jungle. Unfortunately, no archaeological excavations have been done on this site.
Significant Archaeological Sites Inside the Wilpattu National Park
Wilpattu is one of the least archaeologically explored areas where attention has only been paid to ancient inscriptions and proto-historic sites. Much legend and history is associated with the park and its immediate surroundings.
Tammanna Nuwara, the legendary landing site of King Vijaya around 500 BCE, is believed to be situated between Kudiremalai Point and the mouth of Moderagam Ara. It’s recounted that Vijaya and his companions first set foot on this land, resting their hands upon the earth, thus staining their palms with a distinctive red hue. Modern soil analyses reveal a stretch of reddish latosols running parallel to the western coastal belt, evidence of geological formations dating back millions of years when these lands emerged from beneath the sea. According to folklore, Vijaya wedded Kuveni, the Yaksha Princess, whose palace now lies in ruins at Kali Vila, with traces of her presence said to be found near the Kokmotai bungalow. Additionally, Galbendi Neeravia, positioned northeast of Maradanmaduwa tank, is believed to have been the abode of Prince Saliya and his consort Asokamala, nearly two millennia ago, despite her low-caste status.
Some of the sites inside Wilpattu National Park with significant archaeological evidence are listed below;
- Tammannawala : Ruins of Stupa, Pillars, Foundation stones, bricks and Pond
- Ochchappu Kallu: Caves, Stupa, shrine houses and inscription
- Palace of Kuweni : Ruin pillars, Stupa
- Galbendi Neeravia
- Tammannawala : Ruins of Stupa, Pillars, Foundation stones, bricks, Pond
- Weeransole : Three Buddha statues, three image houses
- Hunuvila Gama : Stupas, shrine house
- Nai Pena Guhava : Two caves and a Stupa, a pond
- Galge Viharaya : Caves with brick walls, granite ruins
- Veli Vehera Archaeology Site
- Pomparippu ancient burial site
- Nai Pena Guhava : Two caves and Stupa, a pond
References
- Goonatilake, W. L. D. P. T. S. de A. (2006). National Archaeological Symposium 2006. In Archaeologically important sites in Vilpattu National Park: present status and new findings (Vol. 1, pp. 57–80). Colombo.
Also See
Map of Kuweni Palace at Wilpattu
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 Kuweni Palace (up to Wilpattu National Park Entrance)
Route from Colombo to Kuweni Palace (upto Wilpattu National Park Entrance) |
Through : Negombo – Puttlam Distance :200 km Travel time : 4 hours. Driving directions : see on google map |