Ran Avuda Mandapaya: The Golden Armory

RATE THIS LOCATION : 1 Star

(1 votes, average: 5.00 out of 5)

The Ran Avuda Mandapaya, recently restored as a public museum near the Temple of the Tooth, was the Kandyan Kingdom’s royal armory. Housing sacred regalia like the Golden Sword, this pavilion once managed elite guards and hereditary craftsmen, standing today as a vital symbol of medieval military administration.

The Ran Avuda Mandapaya, also known as the Ran Ayudha Mandapaya, Ranavuda Mandappe, or the Golden Weapon Pavilion, functioned as a key administrative and ceremonial center within the Royal Palace complex (Maha Vasala) of the Kandyan Kingdom. It served as the royal armory and where crowns, swords, and other regalia of the Kandyan kings were designed, crafted, and adorned with precious materials.

Origin and Historical Development

The palace complex was progressively expanded and fortified by successive rulers following the establishment of the Kandyan Kingdom by King Senasammatha Vikramabahu (r. 1473–1511 CE). The present form of the pavilion is attributed to King Vimaladharmasuriya I (r. 1592–1604), who employed Portuguese captives to enhance both the defensive and aesthetic features of the capital (Seneviratna, 1983).

Throughout the 17th and 18th centuries, the pavilion remained an integral part of the palace complex. However, like much of Kandy, it suffered damage during foreign invasions. A Dutch plan prepared in 1765, following the capture of the city by Governor Baron Van Eck, identifies designated armories for bows, arrows, and firearms within the palace layout. After the destruction caused during this period, the last king of Kandy, Sri Vikrama Rajasinha, undertook extensive restoration and construction works between 1803 and 1815, likely refining the pavilion’s function during the final phase of the monarchy (Seneviratna, 1983).

Architecture and Spatial Context

Although precise architectural measurements of the Ran Avuda Mandapaya are not detailed in surviving 1765 Dutch maps, the pavilion formed part of a palace frontage extending over approximately 183 meters (200 yards). The maps indicate that the armories were strategically positioned near the Great Audience Hall and the king’s residential quarters (Seneviratna, 1983).

Administration and Function

The pavilion was administered by the Ran Ayudha Mandape Lekam, the official responsible for the king’s personal arms. This was a high-ranking position held by prominent members of influential Kandyan families, including Sirimalwatte Mohottala (1709), Rammolaka Mudiyanse (1715), and various Disavas, notably from the Pilimatalawa and Ehelapola lineages (Vimaladharma, 2003).

The operations of the pavilion were governed by strict ceremonial and functional protocols.

The armory housed a wide range of weaponry, including wadanatuvakku (muskets), patishtana (javelins or halberds), ilukkola (arrow-like javelins), and suse (broad-bladed spears) (D’Oyly, 1929).

A contingent of 48 appuhamies (court attendants) was stationed at the pavilion. These guards carried royal weapons during processions and accompanied the king on official movements. During formal audiences, guards known as rangavadum (bearers of golden weapons) stood armed with lances and bows. They wore special cloth coverings (mukha wadan) over their mouths to ensure that their breath did not defile the royal presence (D’Oyly, 1929).

The maintenance of the royal arsenal was entrusted to hereditary service groups. The iwaduwo (arrow makers) of Hapuwida in Matale were responsible for crafting and decorating spear shafts and banner poles. The atapattu kareyo specialized in fine metalwork, including the inlaying of gun handles with gold, silver, or brass. In addition, blacksmiths from various regions were brought to maintain, repair, and oil the approximately 3,000 firearms stored within the palace armories (D’Oyly, 1929).

Present Status

Today, the original function of the Ranavuda Mandappe has been completely transformed. Following the fall of the Kandyan Kingdom and subsequent British administrative reorganization, the structure was repurposed. The pavilion, together with the Muddaramandappe (Seal Pavilion), was eventually incorporated into the buildings of the Kandy District Court.

The once dilapidated Ran Ayuda Mandapaya has been recently reconstructed and restored. Today, it is open to the public as a small museum, accessible in conjunction with visits to the Temple of the Tooth Relic.

References

D’Oyly, J. (1929). A sketch of the Constitution of the Kandyan Kingdom. Department of Statistics and Office Systems, Government of Ceylon. H. Ross Cottle.
Seneviratna, A. (1983). Kandy: An Illustrated Survey of Ancient Monuments With Historical, Archaeological and Literary Descriptions Including Maps of the City and Its Suburbs. Central Cultural Fund, Ministry of Cultural Affairs.
Obeyesekere, G. (2023). The Many Faces of the Kandyan Kingdom 1591-1765: Lessons for Our Time (1st ed.). Sailfish, Perera Hussein Publishing House. (Original work published 2020)
Vimaladharma, K. P. (2003). Directory of Office Holders of the Kandyan Kingdom, Sri Lanka (1st ed.). Varuni Publishers.

Also See

Kandy – The Last Kingdom of Sinhale

Map of Ran Avuda Mandapaya

Click on the button below to load the Dynamic Google Map

Show Location on Google Maps

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.

Traveling Directions to Ran Avuda Mandapaya

Route 1 from Colombo to Kandy	Route 2 from Colombo to Kandy
Though : kadawata – Warakapola – Ambepussa – Mawanella Distance :120 km Travel time : 3.45 hours Driving directions : see on google map	Though : Katunayake Expressway – Distance :150 km Travel time : 3.20 hours Driving directions : see on google map
Route From Nuwara Eliya to Kandy
Though : Walapane – Raja Mawatha Distance :100 km Travel time : 3.0 hours Driving directions : see on google map