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Coordinates: 6°55′26.93″N 80°1′4.9″E / 6.9241472°N 80.018028°E / 6.9241472; 80.018028
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Nawagamuwa Pattini Devalaya
Religion
AffiliationHinduism
DistrictColombo
Location
LocationNavagamuva
CountrySri Lanka
Geographic coordinates6°55′26.93″N 80°1′4.9″E / 6.9241472°N 80.018028°E / 6.9241472; 80.018028
Architecture
Type19th Century Architecture
CreatorGajabahu I of Anuradhapura
Maha Pattini Devalaya
TypePlace of Worship
LocationNawagamuwa
FoundedAnuradhapura Period
FounderGajabahu I (A.D. 114 - 136)
Demolished14th century (1576)
RebuiltLate 14th century
Restored2016
Restored bySri Sumanatissa Himi


The Department of Archeology - Sri Lanka, declared the Nawagamuwa Pattini Dewalaya as an Archaeological Protected Monuments in Colombo District (22nd November 2002) [1] for its importance in historical, architectural and anthropological facets[2]. According to popular legends the early establishment of Devalaya goes back to 1st century AD[3]. Nawagamuwa also inherits archeological sites that dates back to BC period as per archaeological research conducted in the area[3][1]. The Devalaya is popular among the masses for its miracles and to receive the blessings of the goddess Pattini[2].

Legends

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The legend has it that Gajabahu I of Anuradhapura (A.D. 114 - 136) on his return from India victoriously with 12000 men as prisoners, also brought with him the Pattini anklet. The king built the Devalaya enshrining the Pattini anklet at a place where he stopped to rest on his return to Anuradapuara[3] [4]. a different presentation of the legend says that the Goddess pattini came from India with 12000 devotees form 16 castes and settled in this area[4].

History

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Verifiable historical evidence about the Devalaya emerge during the Kotte period [4][3]. The area was then known as Hewagam Korale, according to Rajavaliya[3]. Excavations around the devale from time to time unearthed building materials, wells, Dutch coins and iron implements of the middle ages. North of the old devalaya at what was known as the old landing place, coins used during the Dutch period in Ceylon, 1554 – 1765, have been found[3]. Significant events took place during Kotte Period[4][3]

  • Inauguration of Hewagam Korale by King Rajasinha I of Sitawaka as a gratitude to the soldiers of Hewagama who fought with him against the Portuguese in Battle of Mulleriyawa.
  • Godagama Sannasa mentions about the gift of oil presented to Nawagamuwa Pattini Perahera by the King Buwanekabahu V (A.D. 1521 – 1580)
  • King Mayadunne of Sitawaka (A.D. 1521 - 1580) had stopped at the Nawagamuwa Pattini Devale to make a vow before he went to war with the Portuguese in the Colombo Fort.
  • Portuguese records reveals that, in 1550, the king of Portugal sent 600 troops to help Bhuvanaikabahu VII of Kotte. They clashed with King Mayadunne at Nawagamuwa.
  • In 1576, the Portuguese records says that they made a military establishment on the place after destroying the Devalaya.
  • King Mayadunne recaptured the lost land and rebuilt the Devalaya.
  • The Captain of the Colombo Fort, again destroyed the Devalaya and leaving a pile of ruins

Restorations

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Archeological research has revieled that there are buildings in Nawagamuwa Devalaya premisers belongs to both Kotte Period and the 19th Century. The 19th Century restorations and buildings were done by Katuwawala Sri Sumanatissa Thero, the chief priest of the temple during A.D. 1813 – 1928[3]. After constructing the Galkanu devale, Sri Sumanatissa Himi constructed the monks abode or Sanghavasaya and the Vihare or Pilimage in 1894[3].

A The Procession of the marble statue of Goddess Pattini arriving to Nawagamuwa.
The marble statue of Goddess Pattini.
A The Procession of the marble statue of Goddess Pattini arriving to Nawagamuwa.
The Procession of the marble statue of Goddess Pattiniarriving to Nawagamuwa.

After the restoration of the Devalaya in 1813 – 1928 period, the Devalaya haven’t had any restoration until the new millennium[5][6][7]. In 2016, nearly hundred year later, the Devalaya went through a complete restoration, as per guidance of the Department of Archelogy. With the new renovation project, a life-size marble statue of Goddess Paththini was brought from India to Nawagamuwa[5][6][7]. It was unveiled to the public ceremonially on 19th of August 2016[5][6][7].

Conservation

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The Department has declared eight archeologically important sites as protected monuments to be conserved[4][3]

  1. Shrine Room (Pilimage)
  3. The Monks’ Abode (Sanghavasaya)
  5. Stone Pillar (Galkanu) Devalaya
  7. Maha Pattini Devalaya
  9. Vishnu Devalaya
  11. Kataragama Devalaya
  13. Dedimunda Devalaya
  15. The grove of ancient Na trees (which is over 100 years old).


References

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  1. ^ a b http://www.digplanet.com/wiki/List_of_Archaeological_Protected_Monuments_in_Colombo_District
  2. ^ a b https://www.archaeology.lk/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/intenational_conference_on_asian_art_culture_and_heritage_colombo_sri_lanka_2013_august_final.pdf
  3. ^ a b c d e f g h i j http://www.angelfire.com/planet/heritagesl2/nawagamuwa/nawagamuwa.htm
  4. ^ a b c d e http://www.sundayobserver.lk/2011/04/17/fea28.asp
  5. ^ a b c http://www.news.lk/news/politics/item/14215-president-unveils-statue-of-goddess-paththini-at-nawagamuwa-devalaya
  6. ^ a b c http://www.news.lk/news/politics/item/14215-president-unveils-statue-of-goddess-paththini-at-nawagamuwa-devalaya
  7. ^ a b c http://lankainformation.lk/news/latest-news/item/9880-president-unveils-statue-of-goddess-paththini
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