Yudaganawa Viharaya

 

Nestled amidst the tranquil landscapes of Sri Lanka lies an archaeological marvel steeped in centuries of history and captivating legends: the Buttala Yudaganawa Viharaya. More than just a collection of ancient ruins, this revered site in the Uva Province stands as a testament to a glorious past, whispering tales of powerful kings, strategic battles, and profound spiritual devotion. It is a place where the very earth seems to hum with the echoes of ancient warriors and the wisdom of bygone eras. In this article, we will embark on a journey through time, delving deep into the rich historical tapestry and the enthralling legends that have shaped the enduring legacy of Buttala Yudaganawa Viharaya.

                    To truly appreciate the significance of Buttala Yudaganawa Viharaya, one must first understand its genesis within the cradle of ancient Sri Lankan civilization: the Kingdom of Ruhuna. This southern kingdom was not merely a geographical region; it was a vibrant and resilient hub of early Sinhalese culture, often serving as a stronghold against foreign invaders and a beacon of indigenous power. Yudaganawa, strategically located within this fertile and historically rich territory, naturally became a point of considerable importance.

            Traditional accounts and archaeological inferences suggest that the site’s origins stretch back to the earliest periods of Buddhist establishment on the island. While concrete evidence regarding its very first builders remains largely shrouded in time, it is widely believed that its initial structures were established under the patronage of powerful local chieftains or early kings of Ruhuna. These early patrons, deeply committed to the propagation of Buddhism, would have initiated the construction of stupas and other monastic dwellings, laying the foundational stones for what would evolve into the expansive Viharaya we see today. The very stones of Yudaganawa stand as silent witnesses to the ingenuity and devotion of these ancient forebears, whose vision planted the seeds of a spiritual and historical landmark that would later play a pivotal role in the island's destiny.

            The very name "Yudaganawa" – meaning "battleground" or "place of many warriors" – offers the most profound clue to the Viharaya's legendary past. It is indelibly etched into the national consciousness as the site intrinsically linked to one of Sri Lanka's most revered heroes: King Dutthagamani (Dutugemunu). The sagas recount a pivotal period in the island's history when the unified Sinhalese kingdom faced fragmentation and foreign rule. It was from Ruhuna that Prince Dutthagamani rose, destined to reclaim the northern territories from the Chola king Elara and unite the entire island under one banner.

            According to widespread belief and ancient chronicles such as the Mahavamsa, Buttala Yudaganawa was no ordinary temple; it was the strategic rallying point where King Dutthagamani meticulously gathered his formidable army. From this very ground, brave warriors from across Ruhuna converged, preparing for the arduous campaign that would culminate in the legendary battle against King Elara. The vast, partially ruined stupa (Dagoba) at the heart of the Viharaya is central to these legends. One prominent theory suggests that this colossal structure marks the cremation site of Prince Tissa, King Dutthagamani's younger brother, who tragically fell during an earlier, fratricidal conflict. Another, equally compelling, posits that the stupa serves as a monumental cenotaph, honoring the countless warriors who sacrificed their lives in Dutthagamani's quest for national unity. The sheer scale of the stupa, with its unique "double" appearance – almost as if two domes are conjoined – lends credence to the idea of a site of immense significance, perhaps marking two distinct burials or commemorating the vast numbers involved in the historic struggle. These hallowed grounds, therefore, represent not just a religious monument but a powerful symbol of courage, sacrifice, and the birth of a unified Sri Lankan identity.

While the era of King Dutthagamani undoubtedly cast an indelible shadow over Buttala Yudaganawa Viharaya, its importance did not wane with the passing of his reign. Throughout subsequent centuries, the Viharaya remained a focal point of religious devotion and royal interest, benefiting from the patronage of various kings and powerful figures who recognized its strategic, historical, and spiritual significance. The monumental scale of its structures, particularly the main stupa, would have required continuous maintenance and likely saw periods of renovation and expansion under different rulers.

Historical records, though sometimes fragmented, and archaeological findings suggest that various kings extended their support to the Viharaya, ensuring its prosperity and the welfare of its monastic community. These acts of patronage often involved grants of land, funds for new constructions, or the restoration of existing edifices. The presence of ancient stone inscriptions found at or near the site provides invaluable glimpses into these periods, documenting royal decrees, donations, and the names of benefactors. These inscriptions are not merely epigraphic curiosities; they are direct voices from the past, corroborating the Viharaya's enduring prominence and confirming its role as a living religious institution for many centuries. Such continuous royal backing ensured that Buttala Yudaganawa Viharaya remained not just a monument to a glorious past, but a vibrant center of Buddhist learning and worship, its sacred grounds echoing with the prayers and activities of generations.

 

Dutugemunu-Saddhatissa War

After the departure of King Kavantissa, Prince Gemunu appeared as the King of Ruhuna, and Prince Tissa remained at Digamadulla, expecting his brother to join him in battle at any moment. Prince Dutugemunu sent letters to Prince Tissa requesting his mother, queen, and elephants, but Prince Tissa did not reply. Since the letters sent in this way on three occasions did not receive a reply, Prince Dutugemunu prepared for battle with Prince Tissa.

Accordingly, when Prince Tissa heard that Prince Dutugemunu had left Magami, he arrived at the Chulangani field, or the site of the present Yudangana Viharaya, and camped there. Prince Dutugemunu, also, not realizing his brother's fighting ability, rushed into battle and had to fight an army ten times larger than his own. As a result, Prince Dutugemunu, realizing that it was difficult to win the battle, retreated to Magama.

Prince Dutugemunu, who was organizing the army, stopped at Magama, but knew that many lives could be lost in this conflict, so he sent a letter to Prince Tissa, stating that he would stop the battle and forgive him if he came to him, but Prince Tissa thought it was a joke. Therefore, for the second time, these forces met face to face at Yudagana, and at that time, Prince Tissa, seeing that Prince Gemunu's army was winning, fled and hid in the nearby Dematamal Viharaya.

Prince Tissa, who was under the protection of the monks, realized that he was no longer a challenge to him, and Prince Dutugemunu set out for Magama with Viharamahadevi and the elephants. Later, with the intervention of the Venerable Godatta, the two brothers were reconciled, and King Dutugemunu entrusted Prince Tissa with the Digamadulla area and instructed him to develop agriculture there.

Folklore and literary sources confirm that the Chulangani Pitiya or Yudagana Pitiya, where the battle between the two brothers Dutugemunu and Saddhatissa took place, is the same archaeological site of Buttala Yudagana. Historical information states that Saddhatissa had this Yudagana Dagaba built to erase the sins he had committed by fighting with his brother and to commemorate the battle forever.

Death of Kadol the Elephant

Kadol the Elephant, who had been very close to King Dutugemunu, fell seriously ill due to the untimely death of his master, King Dutugemunu. King Saddhatissa, who paid attention to this, is said to have taken the elephant to Magam Puravara, the birthplace of Kadol the Elephant, on the advice of the elephants. It is said in folklore that while being taken, Kadol the Elephant, who fell ill, died while worshipping the Yudaganava Dagaba. The body of the elephant was buried at a place called Poramadilla, which is near this sacred place. Later, the elephant's tusks, which were separated there, were offered to the Kataragama Devalaya as ordered by King Dutugemunu before his death.