Isurumuniya

Isurumuniya is a Buddhist temple situated in Anuradhapura, Sri Lanka, near to the Tissa Wewa (Tisa tank). The temple containing four carvings of special interest in this Vihara. Three of them are the Isurumuniya Lovers, Royal Family and The Elephant Pond.

The Isurumuniya temple was built by King Devanampiya Tissa ruler in the Sri Lankan capital of Anuradhapura between 307 BC to 267 BC. the temple was built for 500 children of high-caste were ordained to reside. King Kasyapa I (473-491 AD) reformed this viharaya and named it as "Boupulvan, Kasubgiri Radmaha Vehera" as derived from names of his 2 daughters and his name. There is a viharaya associated to a cave and above is a cliff and a small stupa is built on it. its look like the stupa was constructed in present period. on both sides of a cleft, in a rock that appears to rise out of a pool, have been chiselled the figures of elephants. On the rock is carved the figure of a horse with a human. it is identifies the carving of Isurumuniya lovers on the slab has been brought from another place and placed it there. and there is a Ranmasu Uyana few yards away from this viharaya. 

Isurumuniya Lovers

This carving is belongs to 6th Century Gupta style. The woman, seated on the man's lap, lifts a warning finger, presumably as a emergence of her coyness. but the man carries on regardless. The figures may represent King Dutugemunu's son Saliya and the maiden Asokamala whom he loved. It's known that Asokamala is low caste (Sadol Kula) and Prince Saliya gave up the throne for her.

Royal Family Carving

It is Placed in Isurumuniya Viharaya. it is belongs to 8th century A.D. Anuradhapura Period. the tradition of this carving is Guptha Kala (mystic). it is carved on granite by half carving ("Ardha Unnata") method: 

There are five human figures carved on this plate. The human figure in the center is identified as King Dutugamunu, who has a tall crown on his head and a "puna noola" around his chest. At his left are another two human figures. They are fanning him with a "Wijinipath"

by Sam
24-07-2017.