Somawathi Chetiya - Somawathiva

The historical records narrate that the Somawathi Chetiya was built on the eastern bank of the Mahaweli River, but today the Stupa has sited about 1/2 km from the west bank. Of the river. Initial confusion was subsequently solved with the discovery that the river has changed its course during the last 800 years, and in fact, the current sandy road leading to the Somawathi was the path of the river some thousands of years ago. Of course, the change, of course, River Mahaweli at Somawathi unite well with A. Denis N. Fernando's (at BMICH on 18th October 2002) theory in relation to the "Decline of the ancient Hydraulic civilization of Sri Lanka". Somawathi Chetiya was built in the 2nd century BCE. According to chronicles, Somawathi Chetiya was built by Prince Giriabha at the request of his wife, Princess Somawathi (sister of King Kavanthissa), who lived in a small community called "Somapura" on the banks of Mahaweli River. Upon completion of the Stupa, the Sacred right tooth relic of Buddha was gifted to the prince by Buddhist Maha Thera Mahinda. The relic was enshrined in the relic chamber of the Stupa. From then on till the 4th century A.D., the sacred city was renovated by King Kannittatissa, King Kutakannatissa, King Gaminiabhaya and King Amandagamini.

The site was rediscovered in the 1940s, and a group of devotees initiated the renovations. In 1964 archaeologists started excavating the site and found a smaller stupa 5' below in the main Stupa. The smaller Stupa was built by Prince Giriabha around the 2nd century BCE, and King Kavanthissa enlarged it later. Archaeologists uncovered several ruins of structures, including a wall surrounding the Stupa and also four moonstones, flower pedestals, six 3 '2" long rocks carved with the sacred image of the sole of the feet of Buddha. Nine stone inscriptions have been found around this site, of which four of the nine inscriptions on the Eric Swan rock. About 100 metres before the main entrance to the temple, Eric Swan rock is located a few metres away from the rock-strewn road. The photographer Eric Swan who took a photograph, was killed by one of the wild elephants. Elephants used to rub their backs and butts on a nearby rock outcrop. When it was revealed that the Sacred Right Tooth Relic of Buddha was enshrined in the relic chamber of this Stupa, Giragama, then Diyawadana Nilame of Sacred Temple of Tooth, Kandy, commenced a search for the lost Stupa. The objective of the Guardian of the Sacred Temple of Tooth at Kandy was to secure the custody of the right tooth relic and to deposit it alongside the left tooth relic at Sacred Temple of Tooth at Kandy. It is said that the guide lost his sight on the day the team reached the Stupa. During the excavation, cobras surfaced, and a swarm of wasps attacked the team. While fleeing from the wasps, the Giragama, then Diyawadana Nilame, was injured. He later died of the wound. The story rings a bell. This brings in recollections of Howard Carter and others following the excavation of the tomb of Tutankhamen.

(Heritage Lanka by Neil Kiriella 2017, P191)

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Somawathi Rajamaha Viharaya (Somawathi Chethiya)

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