Paththirippuwa
It was a well known fact that the Paththirippuwa , which had been considered as the symbol of identity of the of the Kandyan Architecture was built in 1802 A.D on the instructions of kings Sri Wickrama Rajasinhe., who was the last king of Nayakkar Lineage (1798-1815 A.D). The name derived from the Tamil Language, meant as the place of this great construction was a master craftsman named Devendra Moolacharya. Out of his construction Magul Maduwa or the pavilion held a prominent place. According to tradition he had born in Matale, was staying for some time in Kotmale and finally lived in Handessa, till his tragic death which had taken place as a suicide for feeling ashamed of losing one of his fingers on the orders of king, who listened to slander against this great craftsman. This building a master piece of Kandyan Architecture was octagonal in shape and the roof was an attractive creation with a steep gradient.
During the bomb blast by the LTTE terrorist on 25th of January 1998 A.D, aimed to destroy the Buddhist Heritage the paththirippuwa too faced damage. It was pleasure to see the reconstruction of the building. The patronage of the Minister in charge of the Harbor should be appreciated. Concrete mortar and plaster were pumped to the cracked and vibrated walls through novel technological methods to strengthen the building. Reconstruction work had in no way obstructed strength of the ancient building and it had been a great pleasure too.
Hewisi Mandapaya
When
proceeding through the Ambarawa one could reach the ‘Hewisi
Mandapaya’ or the drummer’s platform or dais. When the great offering to
the sacred tooth relic or the ‘Thevava’ was done, one could the way of
Hewisi Poojawa or the offering of Hewisi or the drums using the five
kinds of musical instruments of the up country tradition. It had been
conducted daily. The upper roof had been supported by 20 stone columns
10 each side. These massive stone columns were carved, created and
reconstructed during the service of Diyawadana Nilame K.B Nugawela.
Pillar caps(pekada) at the top of the stone columns were attractive. One
could see three large brass lamps or Dolos Maha Pahan which were
lighted through the 12 months of the year.
From right side of the Hewisi Mandapaya one could enter the ‘Image House’ in the lower storey, and paththirippuwa (octagon) from where the king could watch the various festivals held. From the left side near the chaitya these steps could be used to enter the old ‘Diggeya’ the long hall used daily by drummer’s for the ‘great offering’ of thevava.
It was a well known fact that the Paththirippuwa , which had been considered as the symbol of identity of the of the Kandyan Architecture was built in 1802 A.D on the instructions of kings Sri Wickrama Rajasinhe., who was the last king of Nayakkar Lineage (1798-1815 A.D). The name derived from the Tamil Language, meant as the place of this great construction was a master craftsman named Devendra Moolacharya. Out of his construction Magul Maduwa or the pavilion held a prominent place. According to tradition he had born in Matale, was staying for some time in Kotmale and finally lived in Handessa, till his tragic death which had taken place as a suicide for feeling ashamed of losing one of his fingers on the orders of king, who listened to slander against this great craftsman. This building a master piece of Kandyan Architecture was octagonal in shape and the roof was an attractive creation with a steep gradient.
During the bomb blast by the LTTE terrorist on 25th of January 1998 A.D, aimed to destroy the Buddhist Heritage the paththirippuwa too faced damage. It was pleasure to see the reconstruction of the building. The patronage of the Minister in charge of the Harbor should be appreciated. Concrete mortar and plaster were pumped to the cracked and vibrated walls through novel technological methods to strengthen the building. Reconstruction work had in no way obstructed strength of the ancient building and it had been a great pleasure too.
Hewisi Mandapaya
From right side of the Hewisi Mandapaya one could enter the ‘Image House’ in the lower storey, and paththirippuwa (octagon) from where the king could watch the various festivals held. From the left side near the chaitya these steps could be used to enter the old ‘Diggeya’ the long hall used daily by drummer’s for the ‘great offering’ of thevava.
