Mahakanadarawa Ancient Stone Bridge (මහකනදරාව ගල් පාලම), Mihintale (2018) - 2 of 2
During the first few centuries of Anuradhapura Era, the main administrative centers were Anuradhapura and Magama in the Ruhuna. There was a main road linking these two cities. Furthermore, major roads connected Anuradhapura with the ports of Jambukolapattana (Dambakola Patuna) in the Jaffna Peninsula, Mathota or Mahatitta (Manthai) near present day Mannar and Gokanna (Trincomalee). These three ports were the most important trade centers in the Rajarata at the time.
The Anuradhapura-Dambakolapatuna Road went through Rambeva, Omanthai, Pavatkulam and Vavunikulam. This road had several stone bridges including those near Anuradhapura over the Malwathu Oya and another at Pavatkulam over the canal starting from the reservoir. Stone beams and slabs of these bridges still exist. The most famous site is the remains of a bridge at Periyapulankulama in Anuradhapura, commonly known as Galpalama (Stone Bridge).
The best preserved ancient stone bridge is the Mahakanadarawa Stone Bridge, built over the Kanadarawa River in the ancient road between Anuradhapura and Gokanna (Trincomalee). The present road connecting the two cities roughly coincides with the ancient road, which is a clear indication of the technological skills of the ancient Sri Lankans.
The existing structure at Mahakanadarawa is 80 feet in length and ten feet in width. Ten feet long 14 stone beams of the size of 16 by 12 inches have been paved across it. The bridge is supported by 42 columns of 12 by 12 inches fixed on rocks on the bed of the river. The slabs of the bridge vary in sizes, the largest being eight feet long and 18 inches wide. The thickness of the slabs is six to eight inches. There are ruins of another stone bridge over the Yan Oya near Ratmale but the bridge has not been preserved well. The dimensions of the Mahakanadarawa Bridge clearly indicate that they could support even elephants.
The ancient city of Anuradhapura had a well-constructed road network. The Chinese monk Fa-Hsien, who visited the island around 415 A.D., states that the roads and streets in the city of Anuradhapura were excellently laid out and beautifully maintained.
There are at least 5 large scale stone bridges discovered in Sri Lanka. The most popular is the bridge over the Malwathu Oya.
Bridge over Malwathu Oya (A'pura)
Bridge over Halpan Ela (A'pura)
Bridge close to Mahakanadarawa Reservoir (Mihintale)
Bridge at the Girihandu Seya (Thiriyaya)
Bridge in Kayankerni (Eastern Province)
Source: Amazing Lanka
***This video is protected by YouTube and International Copyright Laws. Reproduction, redistribution and reuse in any form without prior written permission is strictly prohibited.
Copyright © 2018 Sri Abeywickrema. All rights reserved.***
Special Note for the Viewers:
I’ve done this video to make you aware of the beauty of this place and please don’t misuse this information in order to ruin it. I’ve spent so much of time/money bringing this to you so that you may enjoy it.
I also have a very kind and humble request to make. Should you ever visit this place, you’re kindly requested to adhere to the following in order to save our Mother Nature not only for the future generations but for the current one as well:
* Avoid careless/irresponsible/money-oriented/mega tour groups or organizers.
* Travel in small groups as Mother Nature can’t afford so many footprints at once. Stick to the designated trails or hardback surfaces at all times.
* Minimize the use of polythene/plastic and do bring them back. Please don’t burn them in the wilderness. Even organic/bio-degradable waste is harmful to the nature and animals. Please stick to the simple rule of “if you pack it in, pack it out”.
* Use reusable water bottles, plates and cups. Even paper cups/plates are harmful and take years to decompose.
* Remain quiet and vigilant. Don’t disturb the tranquility of the nature. Respect wildlife and don’t disturb them in anyway. Also be considerate of other trekkers.
* Please collect and bring any litter/garbage left behind by other careless travellers.
* Don’t light fires unnecessarily and do try to use portable cookers instead of using firewood when camping. If you must, only use firewood on the ground and don’t cut any trees for this.
* Don’t bring any plants back with you or cut any trees/branches unnecessarily..
* Don’t use soap/ shampoo when bathing in natural streams as they contaminate them and kill wildlife.
* Don’t do anything that harms the Mother Nature.
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Mahakanadarawa Ancient Stone Bridge (මහකනදරාව ගල් පාලම), Mihintale (2018) - 1 of 2
During the first few centuries of Anuradhapura Era, the main administrative centers were Anuradhapura and Magama in the Ruhuna. There was a main road linking these two cities. Furthermore, major roads connected Anuradhapura with the ports of Jambukolapattana (Dambakola Patuna) in the Jaffna Peninsula, Mathota or Mahatitta (Manthai) near present day Mannar and Gokanna (Trincomalee). These three ports were the most important trade centers in the Rajarata at the time.
The Anuradhapura-Dambakolapatuna Road went through Rambeva, Omanthai, Pavatkulam and Vavunikulam. This road had several stone bridges including those near Anuradhapura over the Malwathu Oya and another at Pavatkulam over the canal starting from the reservoir. Stone beams and slabs of these bridges still exist. The most famous site is the remains of a bridge at Periyapulankulama in Anuradhapura, commonly known as Galpalama (Stone Bridge).
The best preserved ancient stone bridge is the Mahakanadarawa Stone Bridge, built over the Kanadarawa River in the ancient road between Anuradhapura and Gokanna (Trincomalee). The present road connecting the two cities roughly coincides with the ancient road, which is a clear indication of the technological skills of the ancient Sri Lankans.
The existing structure at Mahakanadarawa is 80 feet in length and ten feet in width. Ten feet long 14 stone beams of the size of 16 by 12 inches have been paved across it. The bridge is supported by 42 columns of 12 by 12 inches fixed on rocks on the bed of the river. The slabs of the bridge vary in sizes, the largest being eight feet long and 18 inches wide. The thickness of the slabs is six to eight inches. There are ruins of another stone bridge over the Yan Oya near Ratmale but the bridge has not been preserved well. The dimensions of the Mahakanadarawa Bridge clearly indicate that they could support even elephants.
The ancient city of Anuradhapura had a well-constructed road network. The Chinese monk Fa-Hsien, who visited the island around 415 A.D., states that the roads and streets in the city of Anuradhapura were excellently laid out and beautifully maintained.
There are at least 5 large scale stone bridges discovered in Sri Lanka. The most popular is the bridge over the Malwathu Oya.
Bridge over Malwathu Oya (A'pura)
Bridge over Halpan Ela (A'pura)
Bridge close to Mahakanadarawa Reservoir (Mihintale)
Bridge at the Girihandu Seya (Thiriyaya)
Bridge in Kayankerni (Eastern Province)
Source: Amazing Lanka
***This video is protected by YouTube and International Copyright Laws. Reproduction, redistribution and reuse in any form without prior written permission is strictly prohibited.
Copyright © 2018 Sri Abeywickrema. All rights reserved.***
Special Note for the Viewers:
I’ve done this video to make you aware of the beauty of this place and please don’t misuse this information in order to ruin it. I’ve spent so much of time/money bringing this to you so that you may enjoy it.
I also have a very kind and humble request to make. Should you ever visit this place, you’re kindly requested to adhere to the following in order to save our Mother Nature not only for the future generations but for the current one as well:
* Avoid careless/irresponsible/money-oriented/mega tour groups or organizers.
* Travel in small groups as Mother Nature can’t afford so many footprints at once. Stick to the designated trails or hardback surfaces at all times.
* Minimize the use of polythene/plastic and do bring them back. Please don’t burn them in the wilderness. Even organic/bio-degradable waste is harmful to the nature and animals. Please stick to the simple rule of “if you pack it in, pack it out”.
* Use reusable water bottles, plates and cups. Even paper cups/plates are harmful and take years to decompose.
* Remain quiet and vigilant. Don’t disturb the tranquility of the nature. Respect wildlife and don’t disturb them in anyway. Also be considerate of other trekkers.
* Please collect and bring any litter/garbage left behind by other careless travellers.
* Don’t light fires unnecessarily and do try to use portable cookers instead of using firewood when camping. If you must, only use firewood on the ground and don’t cut any trees for this.
* Don’t bring any plants back with you or cut any trees/branches unnecessarily..
* Don’t use soap/ shampoo when bathing in natural streams as they contaminate them and kill wildlife.
* Don’t do anything that harms the Mother Nature.
Facebook - Waterfall Hunter
Facebook - National Parks
YouTube
Instagram
Flickr
G+
Blog - Trek with Sri...
Anuradhapura Sri Lanka
places -
Nuwara Wewa - Nuwara Wewa is the largest of the three man made reservoirs in Anuradhapura The other two are Basawakkulama ( Abaya Wewa) and the Tissa wewa. Nuwara Wewa is believed to be built by King Vattagamini Abaya popularly known as King Valagamba in the first century BC.
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Isurumuniya - Isurumuniya is a Buddhist temple situated near to the Tissa Wewa. There are four carvings of special interest in this Vihara. They are the Isurumuniya Lovers, Elephant Pond and The Royal Family,
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Mirisawetiya Vihara - The Mirisaveti Stupa is situated in the ancient city of Anuradhapura, Sri Lanka. King Dutugamunu built the Mirisaveti Stupa after defeating King Elara.
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Jetavanaramaya - The Jetavanaramaya is a stupa located in the ruins of Jetavana in the sacred world heritage city of Anuradhapura, Sri Lanka. Mahasena of Anuradhapura initiated the construction of the stupa following the destruction of the mahavihara
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Ruwanwelisaya - The Ruwanwelisaya is a stupa in Sri Lanka, considered a marvel for its architectural qualities and sacred to many Buddhists all over the world.
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Lovamahapaya - Lovamahapaya is a building situated between Ruwanweliseya and Sri Mahabodiya in the ancient city of Anuradhapura, Sri Lanka. It is also known as the Brazen Palace or Lohaprasadaya because the roof was covered with bronze tiles.
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Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi - Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi is a Sacred Fig tree in the Mahamewna Gardens, Anuradhapura, Sri Lanka. It is said to be the right-wing branch from the historical Sri Maha Bodhi at Buddha Gaya in India under which Lord Buddha attained Enlightenment.
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Samadhi Statue - The Samadhi Statue is a statue situated at Mahamevnāwa Park in Anuradhapura, Sri Lanka. The Buddha is depicted in the position of the Dhyana Mudra, the posture of meditation associated with his first Enlightenment.
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Abhayagiri vihara - Abhayagiri Vihāra was a major monastery site of Mahayana, Theravada and Vajrayana Buddhism that was situated in Anuradhapura, Sri Lanka.
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Stone Bridge, Malwathu Oya - The road leading to Gal Palama is located close to the Kuttam Pokuna (Twin Ponds). Traveling 3,4 kms from Sangamitta Mawatha, passing some picturesque paddy fields, you can reach the point where this ancient stone bridge crosses the Mawathu Oya.
source -
Date - 18-19 Mar 2017
Camera-nexus 5x
Anuradhapura Stone Bridge
A number of stone bridges have been discovered in and around Anuradhapura; some are in a poor condition, but all are looked after by the Archaeological Department. One is the well-known and fairly well preserved Gal Paalama in Anuradhapura. In those days people coming from the north, from Dambakolapatuna, had to cross this bridge to enter Anuradhapura.
Like the A9 of today, the highway that connects Anuradhapura with Jaffna, in those far-off days too there was a highway, a much used road, from the port in the north (near modern Kyts) to the capital, Anuradhapura. Princess Hemamala and Prince Danta, who brought the Sacred Tooth Relic, would have taken this road (800 years after the Lord Buddha's Parinibbhäna), after landing at the northern port, Dambakolapatuna; patuna is an old word for port.
(Source - sundayobserver.lk)
Malwathu oya ( Malwathu river), at Saliyapura area, Anuradhapura, Sri Lanka.
Malwathu Oya is the one of river situated at Anuradhapura district in Sri Lanka.