Badulla Pillar Inscription
Badulla Pillar Inscription (Badulu Tam Lipiya) is a archaeological pillar inscription, which is currently established at the Senarath Paranavithana Memorial Library of Badulla Sri Lanka. The inscription is engraved on a rock surface, with the height of 8 feet and 5 inches. It contains 203 lines and about 2000 of medieval Sinhala scripts. The Badulla inscript is considered as the largest pillar inscript found in Sri Lanka with the smallest letters.
The pillar inscription belongs to the reign of King Udaya IV (946-954) . It has been recorded that the trade had been practiced in a town of Hopitigama. According to the inscription, the traders and the householders of the market town of Hopitigama had submitted a petition on corruptions and bribes done by in charger of village, to the king Udaya, when he visited the Mahiyangana pagoda. After a probe the stone pillar was erected on the orders of the king, with the published rules of prohibiting these illegal activities.
Additionally the inscription reveals that those days the scales had been used for measure the grain and bulls had been used for the transportation of goods.
Badulla Pillar Inscription was found in 1857 by the Mr. Jone Belli, who was the British deputy agent for Badulla on that time period. It was discovered about three miles away from the North-East of Mahiyangana pagoda and closed to the Sorabora Wewa area Initially it was placed at the Kachcheri of Badulla, but due to the concern on its conservation the pillar inscription was finally brought to the current location, where the public library of Badulla is situated.
Special places in Badulla
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Muthiyangana Raja Maha ViharaMuthiyanganaya Raja Maha Viharaya lies in the centre of the city of Badulla. The History of this temple goes back to the time of Buddha but this area around Badulla goes way back in to the time of 19th -18th century BCE.
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Dowa Raja Maha ViharayaDowa Raja Maha Viharaya (Dowa Cape Temple) lies few kilometres away from the Bandarawela town on the Bandarawela – Badulla Road. This temple is thought to be done by King Walagamba in the in first century BC.
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Bogoda Wooden BridgeThe Bogoda Wooden Bridge was built in the 16th century during the Dambadeniya era. This is said to be the oldest surviving wooden bridge in Sri Lanka. The bridge is situated at 7 kilometres (4.3 mi) west of Badulla.
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Dunhinda FallsDunhinda Falls is situated about 5 km away from Badulla town. It is 63 meters high and is considered to be one of the most beautiful waterfalls in Sri Lanka. The falls gets its name dew to the smoky dew drops spray.
