Debarawewa Yatala Stupa

This Stupa is Situated about a mile away from Tissa stupa near Debarawewa.

The shape of this Stupa is believed to be 'Bubbulakara' or bubble-shaped. It was constructed during the 3rd century BC by regional king Mahanaga. Legend has it that Prince Mahanaga and his consort when they were fleeing from the wrath of the Queen of King Devanampiyatissa (250-210 BC), had a baby born at the site of the Yatala Stupa at Tissamaharama. 'Dhathuwamsa' credits the construction of this Stupa to Regional King Mahanaga. This Stupa was completely restored, and a small opening has been left to observe the different phases of construction.

Treasure hunters had robbed this Stupa before the commencement of the restoration work during the latter part of the 19th century. The bricks used in the Stupa construction had letters in the early Brahmi script inscribed on them (some of these bricks are on display in the Colombo Museum). The restoration work of the Yatala Stupa commenced in 1883 AD. It took over a century to complete the restoration. During restoration, four small relic caskets were made of chrysoberyl, amethyst or purple crystal, clear crystal and rock crystal. All these were deposited inside the new relic chamber during restoration. Today, the Yatala stupa is seen as the Stupa with a moat, but this is a wrong conception.

The moat was created due to the rise in the water table around Tissamaharama. When the area around Yatala was excavated, it got filled with water which became difficult to drain and was therefore converted into a pond around the Stupa. An observant visitor would notice that the steps are submerged in the water, and there is a moonstone underwater. The area filled with water was paved with stone. After the recent excavations, the Yatala' Salapatala Maluwa' or the stone terrace around the Stupa was paved at least three times to drain the water. The first terrace seems to have been paved with bricks on two occasions and finally was covered with stone slabs which are seen now. Many artefacts found around the Kingdom of Ruhuna are displayed at the Yatala site museum. Among them, the most interesting is the beautiful statue of Buddha and the ornate toilet stone. Archaeologists had various advanced interpretations of Yatala Dagoba's image with the arms crossed over the breast. Some believe it to be an image of the Buddha and others of Ananda, Buddha's chief attendant.

At present, there is only the Stupa visible to the visitor. There had been many other buildings that were a part of the Yatala monastery. Although the original extent of Yatala is not known, the clusters of pillars found across the road from Yatala and ruins of brick walls indicate the existence of a large monastery. Most of these ruins are in private land, and many are not reclaimed; thus, a heritage of more than 2000 years remains to be protected.

(Heritage of Ruhuna by Dr. H.A.P. Abeyawardana P125)

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Debarawewa Yatala Stupa

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