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An ambalama is a place constructed for pilgrims, traders and travellers to rest in Sri Lanka. This is a simple structure designed to provide shelter for the travellers. In the ancient times, building an Ambalama for the travelers was considered a greatly meritorious act. The Buddhist approach in Sri Lanka further contributed to such selfless acts. Therefore, ambalamas could be found every two to three miles away on public roads and even two or three ambalams were seen in many old villages. At the same time, this Ambalam was also important as a gathering place for the people of that village.
Some of the ambalamas were built with exquisitely carved pillars. Ambalamas were often built under royal patronage or with the patronage of local nobles. Therefore, the size of these ambalams and artworks changed according to the wealth of the people who sponsored them.
To reach Waturakumbura village you need to travel 5 km on the Waturakumbura from Kiribatkumbura on the Colombo – Kandy road. This Ambalama is located in front of Waturakumbura Madhya Maha Vidyalaya. It appears that the Ambalam of Watarukumbura is designed similar to the designs of Godakumbura and Alikewala Ambalams. Most likely, the Waturakumbura Ambalama is also had been built in the same era.
This Ambalama had been built on a frame of wooden beams measuring about 6×6 feet. About six years ago, this Ambalama collapsed. Based to the photo above, it seems that the pillars had fallen on to the wooden frame. A text “Shaka Badam Ruthi Satya” (“ශාකා බදම් රුති සත්ය”) is carved on a log of the upper beam. The beam is now crumbling and decaying, making it difficult to read. But that text is well remembered by the villagers. But the villagers say that they do not know its meaning.
As of today, it is not clear what is the condition of this Ambalama. May be completely removed.
Note that marked on the Google map below is the approximate area where Ambalama is located.
References
- Dasanayake, R. (2018) අම්බලම හා සමාජය : ශ්රී ලංකාවේ පුරාණ පිළිබඳ ඓතිහාසික හා පුරාවිද්යාත්මක පර්යේෂණයක්. කොළඹ : සීමාසහිත ඇස් ගොඩගේ සහෝදරයෝ (පුද්.) සමාගම.
Also See
- List of Ambalama’s in Sri Lanka
- Ancient Heritage Sites of Sri Lanka
- Other Places of Interest Within Close Proximity
Map of Wathurakumbura Ambalapitiya Ambalama
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.
Driving Directions to Wathurakumbura Ambalapitiya Ambalama
| From Kiribatkumbura to Watarukumbura Ambalapitiya Ambalama |
| Via : Wathurakumbura Road Total Distance : 5 Kms Duration : 15 Minutes Duration : About 15 Minutes Driving Directions : View on Google Map |
