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Hidden amid the quiet lanes of Daskara village, the Vegiriya Ambalama stands as a timeless relic of Sri Lanka’s travel heritage. Built in 1925, its stone pillars, lotus-carved Madol Kurupawa, and tiered seating echo stories of ancient travelers who once rested beneath its elegant Kandyan roof.
Ambalamas served as vital resting places for pilgrims, traders, and travelers journeying along the ancient roads of Sri Lanka, where travel often took several days. These structures were strategically built along main routes to provide weary travelers with rest and shelter for the night.
In ancient times, constructing an Ambalama for the benefit of travelers was regarded as a noble act of charity, while damaging or defiling one was believed to be a grave sin. Beyond serving travelers, Ambalamas also functioned as community gathering points, strengthening social ties among villagers. They were typically built under royal patronage or with the support of local nobles, resulting in variations in size, design, and ornamentation depending on the resources and influence of the patrons.
After traveling approximately 6 kilometers on the Peradeniya–Gampola road, one reaches the Gelioya area. From Gelioya town, a further 3.5 kilometers on the Bouvelikada road leads to Daskara village. A road branching to the left is marked for the Vegiriya Vegirikanda Rajamaha Vihara and Purana Natha Devale. About 850 meters along this road lies the Galkona Ambalama, near the Galkona Purana Bodhiya. Continuing another kilometer brings you to the Vegiriya Ambalama.
The Vegiriya Ambalama is constructed using beams made of jackfruit wood placed atop four large square stone pillars that support the roof. Notably, one of these stone pillars stands about 3 meters (10 feet) tall. The rafters are joined using a wooden Madol Kurupawa, intricately carved with a lotus motif, exemplifying the fine craftsmanship typical of the Kandyan period.
The walls of the Ambalama are designed as ledges to serve as seating, with the entrance facing south. The north wall in front of the entrance rises to about 0.9 meters (3.0 feet), the left wall to 0.75 meters (2.5 feet), and the right wall to 0.45 meters (1.5 feet). These varied seat heights reflect the caste-based seating arrangements common during the Kandyan era. The roof, displaying the traditional upward bend seen in Kandyan architecture, is covered with Calicut clay tiles—likely added during a later renovation.
According to a plaque affixed to the roof, this Ambalama was completed on January 13, 1925, as recorded by Jinadasa, a local Ayurvedic doctor. Local elders recall that a wooden Ambalama had once stood in the same location before this stone structure was built.
References
- අම්බලම හා සමාජය : ශ්රී ලංකාවේ පුරාණ පිළිබඳ ඓතිහාසික හා පුරාවිද්යාත්මක පර්යේෂණයක්, 2018. , 1. 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 Udunuwara Wegiriya Ambalama
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Travelling Directions to Udunuwara Wegiriya Ambalama
| Peradeniya to Udunuwara Vegiriya Ambalama |
| Via : Gelioya – Daskara Total Distance : 13 KM Travel Time : 30 Minutes Time to Spend : About 15-30 Minutes Driving Directions : View on Google Map |
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