Bowala Ratu Ambalama (බෝවල රතු අම්බලම)

RATE THIS LOCATION :1 Star2 Stars3 Stars4 Stars5 Stars (2 votes, average: 4.50 out of 5)
Loading...

Bowala Ratu Ambalama lies along the Bowala Road on the Kandy – Gampola route. To reach this landmark, travel 10.5 km from Peradeniya Bridge towards Gampola to reach the Bowala Road. Turn right to this road travel another 2.5 km along the Bowala road to reach the Ambalama which lies right next to the road.

In ancient times, people traveled from place to place on foot or by cart. Pilgrimages or trade journeys were measured in days, not in hours as they are now. Therefore, resting places (way side rests) or ambalams were built at various places along these popular routes. These ambalams were used to cook small meals for travelers to spend the night safely. They are built around commonly used roads. Generally a place was chosen where there are facilities for a traveller, i.e. near a well or a stream, to build a Ambalama.

At the same time, this Ambalama was also important as a gathering place for the people of that village. Often Ambalams were built under royal patronage or patronage of local nobles. Therefore, the size of these ambalams and artworks changed according to the wealth of the people who sponsored them.

Continuing the ancient tradition, this Ambalama has been built and completed on 9th July 1937 in memory of Uduwaralle H. M. Kiribanda Loku Nilame who died in 1937. The Building is a square structure built using brick and mortar with 2 pillars in front. The rear is wall with curved top creating space for ventilation. The two sides are covered in half height walls. The front half wall too has a curving top edge.

The seat ledges inside the Ambalama is built at 2 levels with the rear ledge few inches taller. This is the typical seating arrangement seen in most of the Ambalama’s to accomadate low cast travellers and high cast travellers together. The roof is typical of Ambalama’s with all timber beams connecting to a “Madol Karupawa” at the center called “Keni Madala”.

Also See

Map of Bowala Ratu Ambalama

Please click on the button below to load the Dynamic Google Map (ගූගල් සිතියම් පහලින්)
.

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.

Travelling Directions to Bowala Ratu Ambalama

From Peradeniya to Bowala Ratu Ambalama
Via :
Total distance: 13 km
Driving Duration : 30 minutes
Time to be spent: About 15 minutes
Driving Directions : View on Google Maps

© www.amazinglanka.com

Leave a Reply