About
Affiliation: Buddhism
District: Nuwara Eliya
Province: Central Province
Status: Abandoned
Location: Kadadora, Sri Lanka
Geographic coordinates: 07°03′39″N 80°35′50″E
Type: Buddhist Temple
Kothmale is a village surrounded by mountains and teeming with falk-tails. It is truly beautiful when the draught comes and the ruins of the old village and Kadadora viharaya emerge. However, there is a tragedy at the heart of the Kothmale oya. This document may make you aware of many interesting facts about Kothmale.
This hilly region was known as “Malaya” in ancient times, and it was later renamed “Kothmalaya” due to the mountains that surround it. When his father was angry with him, prince Dutugamunu came to Kothmale on his mother’s orders, according to “Mahawansa.” Prince Dutugamunu is said to have lived in an area known as “Urupelessa.” Furthermore, since the region of the king “Panduwasdew,” there are many Pagodas, Shrines, and Epigraphs in this area. There was an intelligent person named “Kothmale ganithaya” in the region of King Keerthi Sri Rajasinghe who once stated that one day two mountains would be joined and Kothmale oya would flow north to prosper that area. This became a reality when a dam was built across the Kothmale oya.
Kothmale is a village surrounded by mountains and teeming with falk-tails. When his father was angry with him, prince Dutugamunu came to Kothmale. There are many Pagodas, Shrines, and Epigraphs in this area.
During the reign of King Kawanthissa, this region was known as Kothmale. The soil in this area is black, which is said to be the result of a fire set by “Hanuma.” The Tooth Relic was hiding in this area during the Kalinga Magha season. When the British overran Kandy, the king, Sri Wikrama Rajasinghe, took refuge in this area. During the 1818 rebellion, the rebel leaders Keppetipola, Kivulegedara, and Ketakele sought refuge in this location.
Because it was difficult to travel to the Kothmale area, the villagers could not have socialized with the villagers from the suburbs. However, there are now more Tamils than Sinhalese living there.
Many temples can be found in Kothmale, including Puhulpitiya Rajamaha Viharaya, Dimbula Viharaya, Doruwadeniya Ransimalakaramaya, Piyabimbaramaya, Subadraramaya, and others. There is a Sthupa built on a rock to remember the prince Gemunu, and Dimbula Viharaya was built in 1237.
The Tooth Relic was hiding in this area during the Kalinga Magha season. During the 1818 rebellion, the rebel leaders Keppetipola, Kivulegedara, and Ketakele sought refuge in this location. There are now more Tamils than Sinhalese living there.
Kothmale Oya is created by combining several canals, including Dambagasthala Oya, Agra Oya, Pundalu Oya, and numerous water resources. It flows for about 70 kilometers before joining the Mahaweli River at Polwathura in the Ulapane area. Kothmale receives between 2000mm and 5000mm of precipitation per year and is blessed with both East-West and North–West monsoons. As a result, a large amount of water is added to the Mahaweli River throughout the year. The first Mahaweli development project began in 1979 when a dam was built across the Mahaweli River. Following a study, the Kothmale dam was built, and the Kothmale water power station became the first underground water power station built in the South Asian region.
The Development project is marred by tragedy, as approximately 3000 families have lost their native lands, houses, lands, crops, and so on. About 66 villages, as well as many temples and worship places, were submerged underwater, and the people who lived there were relocated. When there is a drought, you can see Kadadora viharaya, which was drowned while building Kothmale Oya. People visit this location during this time period to see their ancient memories. In 1983, Mr. Gamini Dissanayake, a minister, made plans to erect a stupa called “Mahaweli Maha Seya” to commemorate the temples and Dagabs that were destroyed during the construction of Kothmale Oya. This stupa stood 83 meters tall and was built 950 meters above sea level. Kothmale can be regarded as a project that provided significant benefits to the nation.
Kothmale Oya is created by combining several canals, including Dambagasthala Oya. It flows for about 70 kilometers before joining the Mahaweli River at Polwathura. Kothmale can be regarded as a project that provided significant benefits to the nation.
Image Credit: attractionsinsrilanka.com
WHERE TO STAY
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