Dambadeniya Ancient Temple was built by King Vijayabahu III (1232-1236) when he moved his capital from Polonnaruwa to Dambadeniya after facing the invasion of South India. Dambdeniya became the third Kingdom of Sri Lanka. The temple was named after the king. During his reign, King Vijayabahu occupied the post of Sangaraja to V.Sangrakhitha Thero, sustained the first Danbadeniya Kathikawatha edicts assembling the dignitaries of the order and also started very precious academy. Followed by that, the king further constructed a relic temple to enshrine the tooth relic of Lord Buddha.
King Vijayabahu III had laid a good foundation to Pirivena for local and foreign Bikkus. In addition, he worked hard on literary works such as composed verses and books. The King was also much involved with national religious services like renovating, developing, restoring the ancient temples and preventing the temples from attacks of enemies.
The tooth relic temple built by King Vijayabahu III was a three stories building originally but was converted into 2 stories palace by Meegasthanne Adikaram during the renovation.
Dambadeniya reached its peak glory during the reign of Viyayabahu III's successor King Parakramabahu II (1236-1270) whose immaculate poetic masterpieces Kavisilumina and Visuddi marga Sannasa became a turning point in the literature, making Dambadeniya besides notable for its paintings and scripts, also a golden era of Sinhalese Literature.
The impressive wall mural paintings.
The stupa that was built on an ancient platform was where Tooth Relic was exibited in the past.
Some artifacts at site
Pohoya Seema-malakaya and Sangawasa monastery and the statue of Parakumba were added in the recent past.
The statue of Ananda was sculpted in black, hardly could find in any temples.
Bodhi Sermon Hall was also part of the temple.
I WOULD LIKE TO READ THE SCRIPT OF THE DAMBADENIYA KATHIKAWATHA
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