Thantirimale is a place of worship with a historic background of significance. The area comes alive on Poson full moon poya day when millions of devotees arrive for worship.
It is a beautiful location spanning nearly 200 acres and atop a conspicuously rocky area stands the Astapalala Bodhiya which adds to the beauty and majesty of the area.
The place is unique in its majesty and is second to none of the other more famous places of worship in the country.
On reaching the top of the rocky outcrop a bird’s eye view of the entire forest --home to .a wide range of wild life-- greets the eye of the beholder. To the north- the Wilpattu sanctuary is clearly visible.
The silence of the jungle is rent by the buz of insects, the whirring of crickets and cries of the denizens of the wild.
Every Poson poya day Thanthirimale comes alive and becomes a hive of activity. The area is lit up by a thousand bulbs put up to facilitate the thousands of devotees and pilgrims who throng to this place of worship.
The Mahawansa makes specific mention of this site which during the reign of King Devanampiyatissa is mentioned as the place where the Ven. Sanghamitta, sister of Mihindu Maha Thera broke journey while bringing the Bo sapling from the Jaya Sri Maha Bodhiya in India.
The king received Therani Sangamitta and her retinue and went on to Anuradhapura in procession breaking journey at Thantirimale.
The area in those times was known as Bamunugama and was governed by Thivanka the chief of the Bamunu clan who was a friend of the king.
According to the Mahawansa the Bo sapling was received at Mahameuna and planted at the Udamaluwa. When the sapling was planted it is said to have had two shoots. One of the shoots is said to have been gifted to Thivanka, who planted it at Thantirimale. This tree is now known as the Astapala Bodhiya.
The cynosure of all eyes is the Samadhi statue to which pilgrims flock. Four other incomplete statues are found in the vicinity. The pond in the vicinity of the Samadhi statue adds to the spectacular scenic beauty of the area.
The Pothgula bears evidence Thantirimale had been a centre of meditation. This and other ruins according to archaeologists bear witness to a grand history of the place.
Among the artefacts are chronicles, Buddha statues and ruins of an old dagaba.
During the ethnic conflict the area fell to neglect, was vandalised, made people fearful of visiting the shrine and many of its connections with the past went missing.
There are indications the area was a colony in the past but much research needs to be undertaken to confirm its veracity.
The late Thantirimale Viharadhipathi - the Ven. Kudakonganegama Wimalagnana Thera commenced clearing areas which had been overgrown by jungle.
However with the end of the war, the area is calm once more and pilgrims flock for worship.
The shrine has a number of access routes from Anuradhapura, Medawachchiya and Mannar.
The incumbent Ven.. Thantirimale Chandarathana Thera Viharadhipathi is making all arrangements to cater to the needs of pilgrims who will surely flock to the shrine this Poson poya day. |
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