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Image courtesy of Dr. Ashan Geeganage
Five and a half kilometers south of Dimbulagala temple are the little-known Pulligoda Galge frescos. Crossing a delightful little lake named Hitcha Pitcha Wewa, and circuiting the changing range-scape of Dimbulagala, an unsealed road leads you to this lonely grotto.
A short climb up through a maze of jungle and rock boulders, guided more by instinct than by a path, you reach this forgotten pocket, considered a milestone in the history of our artistic heritage. Fragments of colors are seen on the rock wall of the shallow cave. These may have at one time covered a wider surface.
The surviving fragments depict five male figures seated on lotus crusions placed on a broad seat which may have been a fragment of a larger scene of devotees in an attitude of veneration. Art scholars have described it thus: the male figures depicted here have reached a stage of mental attainment (sovan, sakradagami, anagami or arhat) as signified by the oval aura shaded red behind each head. The saintly figures are seated with their legs crossed. Their soles are painted red with cosmetics like their palms. The lower garments consist of pantaloons reaching down to the ankle of plain red or stripes. Their headdresses vary distinguishing two figures as Brahmins.
Another wears a white band of sacred thread across the bare upper body marking a sage. Earrings, necklaces, armlets and, bracelets are also worn. One figure is green in complexion. One of the figures holds a lotus bud with the stalk while the left arm is folded and held across the chest in a charming gesture of offering.
The others seem to hold their palms together in graceful worship. The pigments of earthy red, ochere, yellow, and green stand on a background of white with small circular designs. The frescoes even after many years remain vibrant in their impact radiating spirituality.
The dating of these frescoes is subject to debate. Some scholars believe that they are contemporary with the Polonnaruwa paintings (12th century), while others propose by referring to the material technology a date as early as the 4th century AD. (even older than Sigiriya.)
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Also See
Map of Pulligoda Galge Frescos
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
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Travel Directions to Pulligoda Galge Frescos
The modern town of Polonnaruwa is also known as New Town, and the other part of Polonnaruwa remains the royal ancient city of the Kingdom of Polonnaruwa.
| Route from Colombo to Polonnaruwa Sacred City | Route from Kandy to Polonnaruwa Sacred City |
| Through : Central Highway – Kurunegala – Dambulla Distance from Colombo :230 km Travel Time : 4.45 hours Driving Directions : see on Google map | Through : Matale – Dambulla – Habarana Distance : 140 km Travel Time : 3.5 hours Driving Directions : see on Google maps |
| Route from Anuradhapura to Polonnaruwa Sacred City | Route from Batticaloa to Polonnaruwa Sacred City |
| Though : Maradankadawala – Habarana Distance : 103 km Travel Time : 2 hours Driving Directions : see on Google map | Though : Chenkaladi – Valachchena Distance : 97 km Travel Time : 2 hours Driving Directions : see on Google map |
| Route from Polonnaruwa to Pulligoda galge frescos |
| Through : Kaduwela – Avissawella – Ratnapura – Pelmadulla Distance : 31 km Travel time : 40 minutes. Driving directions : see on google map |
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