Sri Lankan Spirit: Somawathi Stupa,Sri Lanka

Sacred right tooth relic of Buddha
Somawathiya was built in 2nd century BC. According to chronicles, Somawathi Chethiya was built by Prince Giri-aba on the request of his wife Princess Somawathi (sister of King Kavanthissa) who lived on a small community called "Somapura" on the banks of Mahaveli River. Upon completion of the Stupa, Sacred right tooth relic of Buddha was gifted to the prince by Buddhist monk Maha Thera Mahinda. The relic was enshrined in relic chamber of the stupa. From then on till 4th century AD, the sacred city was renovated by King Kannitta Tissa, King Kurtakanna Tissa, King Gamini Abhaya and King Amanda Gamini.

Reaching Somawathiya Chethiya (Stupa)

We will be arriving from Polonnaruwa or from Minneriya. Coming from Minneriya, we will have to pass the Higurakgoda town to reach Sungawila. From Pollonnaruwa, we will need to turn at the Hospital Junction (between Polonnaruwa and Kaduruwela towns). The distance to the stupa from both these towns (Minneriya as well as Polonnaruwa) is about 40 kilometers. The Somawathiya Chethiya is located by the bank of the River Mahaveli within the Somawathiya strict natural reserve and wildlife sanctuary. Sungawila is the last village we come across on the route to Somawathiya. Once we pass this village we are at Somawathiya strict natural reserve and wildlife sanctuary. It is said to have been the abode of 500 Arahat (supremely enlightened, who broke free from the suffering in the cosmos, the eternal cycle of birth, death & rebirth) Bhikkhus in the 2nd century BC.

Somawathiya strict natural reserve and wildlife sanctuary

The flood plains of Mahaveli River with luxuriously growing grasslands have been inhibited by a large number of wild animals ranging from elephants, wild buffalo & deer. On the low lying banks of the mighty river are other areas protecting wildlife, i.e. Wasgomuwa National Park, Flood Plains National Park and Trikonamadu Natural Reserve.

Through the jungle and The Villu wetlands Sungawila onwards it's a lonely dusty unpaved road of 12 kilometers. We will be driving through the jungle and villus to the great isolated dagoba. The last stretch of the road is right in the land of elephants. Early morning or late in the evening, we are sure to come across few wild elephants. The villagers are used to encounters with wild elephants in the temple grounds during the nights too. The keepers of the cadjan stalls do not fail to throw few bunches of bananas here & there for the benefit of the wild elephants. The beasts would be content with the small gift to leave the occupants of the stalls unharmed.

Rediscovery of the site & excavations

The site was rediscovered in 1940's and in 1948 Ceylon secured independence from the British colonialists. Renovations were initiated by a group of devotees. In 1964 archaeologists started excavating the site. While excavating the main stupa, a smaller stupa at a depth of 5 feet into the main stupa was found. It is believed this smaller stupa was the original Somawathi Chethiya build by prince Giriaba in the 2nd century BC and the latter stupa build around the original was the work of King Kanitta Tissa in 164 AD. Archaeologists unearthed several ruins of structures including a wall surrounding the stupa. Also unearthed are four moonstones, flower pedestals, six 3 1/2 feet long "siripa gal" (rocks carved with the image of sole of the feet of Buddha). Nine stone inscriptions have been found around this site & four of the nine inscriptions on the Eric Swan rock.

Eric Swan rock
The Eric Swan rock is located a few meters away from the gravel road, about 100 meters before the main entrance to the temple. Eric Swan who took a shot at the massive reclining Buddha statue carved into the rock was killed by one of the wild elephants who were disturbed by the sound of the gunshot. Elephants used to rub their backs & butts on a nearby rock outcrop. Carved into the rock surface where Eric Swan stood standing cross-legged, flamboyantly took his aim & shot at the Buddha statue is the print of his shuffled feet. A villager has resolved to etch the uncivilized act right into the huge rock itself.

The light & no sound show 1 for Sri Lanka Broadcasting Corporation A flash in the pan. During the renovation of the stupa a ceremony was held for the purpose of enshrining relics in the relic chamber of the stupa. The ceremony on 30th June 1977 was attended by correspondents of Sri Lanka Broadcasting Corporation. Beams of light radiated out of the stupa illuminating the sky. 7.20a.m.

The light & no sound show 2 for the President of Sri Lanka
A freak. A repetition of freak of rays of lights took place on 4th July in 1981 at the inauguration ceremony. At the arrival of then President of Sri Lanka Mr. J. R. Jayawardhana for the purpose of ceremonious unveiling of "Kotha" (pinnacle) of the stupa at 2 pm, once the phenomena of "rays of light" took place illuminating whole sky with the colour of yellow & the seemed as if it is moon. The all yellow colour of the sky seemed to have a fleeting effect of shrouding the sun. The white clothes of the pilgrims attending the ceremony too were illuminated in the colour of yellow.

It was arranged for the president to unveil the "kotha" (pinnacle studded with a large jewel) by simply pulling down a rope tied with the flag knot to the pinnacle of the stupa. Having witnesses the phenomena, the president decided to rise to the occasion & go hell for leather. He climbed to the top by way of a temporary stairway built for workers and unveiled the pinnacle with bare hands.

The light & no sound show 3 for the President's sister & brother
Freak 2. As if the President himself wouldn't do, a repetition of the show took place for his siblings on the 28th April 2002. Among the thousands of pilgrims were sister and the brother of President J..R. Jayawardhana who were there to pay homage to the chethiya. This time it was continued for over 45 minutes.

The light & no sound show 4
Freak 3. Again on 13th August 2006, poya day (full moon day) and continued for about 3 minutes. Could all these freak incidents are caused by the congregation of deities (other superior beings in other worlds = celestial beings = extraterrestrial beings) who visited to pay respect for the Sacred Tooth Relic?

Radiance of Tooth Relic