(2 votes, average: 4.50 out of 5)
Loading...
In Sri Lanka, an ambalama refers to a traditional roadside resting shelter commonly found in rural areas. These structures possess considerable historical and cultural significance and played an important role in the country’s past.
Originally, ambalamas were established as resting places for weary travelers, traders, pilgrims, and others journeying along the ancient road networks of Sri Lanka. These shelters were especially common along major trade routes and pilgrimage paths that connected important towns and religious centers.
Typically, an ambalama features a simple open pavilion design, often consisting of a thatched roof supported by wooden pillars or stone columns. The open layout allowed for proper ventilation, providing relief from the tropical heat. Some ambalamas also display elaborate carvings and decorative elements that reflect traditional Sri Lankan craftsmanship.
Apart from serving as resting places, these structures functioned as communal gathering spaces where local communities engaged in social interaction and cultural exchange. They were used not only for rest, but also for discussions, storytelling, and various communal activities.
Ambalamas constructed during later periods were generally simple utilitarian structures. Most were built near extensive paddy fields and were primarily intended as gathering places for farmers and villagers.
Ihala Kotuwella Ambalama
The Ihala Kotuwella Ambalama in Pannala is one such simple ambalama, situated near a large paddy field beside a water stream adjoining the Kotuwella road. It is a square brick-and-mortar structure with half walls. These half walls would likely have functioned as benches, as there is no separate seating inside the ambalama.
The roof is supported by eight brick pillars together with the rear wall. According to the plaque on the building, this ambalama was constructed in 1916 by a pious lady named Diṅgiri.
Also See
- List of Ambalama’s in Sri Lanka
- Ancient Heritage Sites of Sri Lanka
- Other Places of Interest Within Close Proximity
Map of Ihala Kotuwella Ambalama in Pannala
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 Ihala Kotuwella Ambalama in Pannala
| From Katugastota to Ihala Kotuwella Ambalama |
| Via :Kurunegala road -Kahawatte Ela Junction – Udapola Total distance: 8 km Duration : 20 minutes Time to spend: About 15-20 minutes Driving Directions : View on Google Maps |
0-09 m (89) 10-19 m (77) 20-29 m (47) 30-39 m (50) 40-49 m (25) 50-99 m (50) Ambalama (176) Ancient Anicuts (35) Articles (0) Asanaghara (8) Ashtapala Bodhi (5) Attraction Articles (3) Attractions (266) Beaches (10) Biosphere Reserves (3) Botanical Gardens (5) Bridges (35) Cave Art (13) Caving (7) Churches (30) Cities (9) Destinations (18) Dethis Pala Bodhi (27) Devalaya (51) Events (3) Flora and Fauna (82) Forts (52) Heritage (1919) Heritage Articles (27) Historic Events (7) History (7) Hot Springs (9) Hydro Heritage (104) Irrigation Articles (4) Islands (15) Kings of Sri Lanka (188) Kovils (29) Kuludage (11) Lighthouses (29) Memorials (57) Mile Posts (6) Misc (1) Mosques (4) Museums (15) National Parks (24) over 100 m (20) Pabbatha Vihara (13) Padhanagara (27) Personalities (211) Pillar/Slab Inscriptions (48) Popular Tourist Attractions (231) Pre Historic Burial Sites (22) Prehistory (42) Prehistory Articles (2) RAMSAR sites (6) Ravana (16) Reservoirs (72) Rock Inscriptions (36) Ruins in Wilpattu (11) Ruins in Yala (25) Santuaries (7) Sluice Gates (17) Stone Bridges (18) Strict Nature Reserves (3) Sumaithangi (3) Survey Towers (18) Tampita Vihara (242) Travel (5) View Points (24) Walawwa (13) War Memorials (26) Waterfalls (380) Wildlife Articles (28) Yathuru Pokuna (4)
Abhayagiri Monastery (20) Ampara District (196) Anuradhapura District (240) Badulla District (123) Batticaloa District (87) Colombo District (123) Galle District (76) Gampaha District (63) Hambantota District (124) Jaffna District (77) Kalutara District (53) Kandy District (217) Kegalle District (165) Kilinochchi District (13) Kingdom of Anuradhapura (88) Kingdom of Kandy (19) Kingdom of Kotte (9) Kingdom of Polonnaruwa (58) Kurunegala District (183) Maha Vihara (18) Mannar District (47) Mannar Island (10) Matale District (94) Matara District (53) Mihintale (22) Monaragala District (113) Mullaitivu District (39) Negombo (5) Nuwara Eliya District (126) Polonnaruwa District (138) Puttalam District (43) Ratnapura District (177) Trincomalee District (80) Vavuniya District (34) waterfalls in Sinharaja (3) z Delft 1 (5) z Jaffna 1 (20) z Jaffna 2 (26) z Jaffna 3 (14)