BOOK REVIEW
Title: Yatagala Raja Maha Vihara ithihasaya ha Janashruthi [ The History of the Yatagala temple and the folklore ]
Author : Ven. Padalangala Assaji thero
Published by the Yatagala Raja Maha Vihara Dayaka Sabawa
Reviewed by Hemantha Situge
The book entitled: Yatagala Raja Maha Vihara ithihasaya ha Janashruthi [ The History of the Yatagala Viharaya and the Folklore] written by Ven Padalangala Assaji published by the Yatagala Raja Maha Vihara Dayaka Sabhawa in 2016 is the only book compiled pertaining to a Buddhist temple on Galle.
The book is dedicated to the ascendant priests of the Ketagoda Sangha lineage and epilogue is written by Ven Metaramba Hemaratane chief incumbent of the Yatagala Viharaya.
The book spans into 68 pages and 21 colour photographs of pure bliss.The opus contains eight chapters and a useful bibliography.
This book has emerged since six decades after the earlier publication on the temple titled: Yatagala Raja Maha Vihara Ithihasaya by Millawa Gooneratne thero on 10-12-1956 perhaps the earliest book on a temple on Galle.
The word Yatagala colloquially in Sinhalese 'beneath the massive rock' evidently was brought by the the village or sub village named 'Yatagama' vide : at page 13 of Millawa Gooneratne's book [supra] states that a school was erected . The pirivena of the temple is named Hettawala derived from Hetta Achala .i e ' beneath the massive rock'
Ven. Millawa Gooneratne's opus contains a rare photograph a chief incumbent Ven Kalahe Gooneratne posing with Hikkaduwe Sri Sumangala High Priest.
The temple though nestled at a most picturesque hillock after mounting of ninety steps ,is found in a most vulnerable locality as it is at a 'stone throw away 'distance from the Galle harbour the then main port of call, where the port functioned as a gateway for the invaders.
Therefore the role of the High priest Ketagoda Ratanajothi of the Yatagala Purana Raja Maha Viharaya was much alike the role played by the high priest Pallathtara Pugngnasara who re-located , re-discovered and re-built the Totagamuva Rathpat Purana Raja Maha Viharaya .
The reclining statue of the Buddha and the bronze statue over five feet are salient treasures of the yester year.
The historical temple and the precincts were declared as a monument by the Gazette notification no 617 dated 29th June 1990 , is indeed a gift for posterity.
Ven. Padalangala Assaji thero's remarkable book entitled: Yatagala Rajamaha Vihara Ithihasaya Ha Janashruthi ( The history of Yatagala temple and the Folklore ) would serve as a vade maecum on the temple .
This book has emerged since six decades after the earlier publication on the temple titled: Yatagala Raja Maha Vihara Ithihasaya by Millawa Gooneratne thero on 10-12-1956 perhaps the earliest book on a temple on Galle.
The word Yatagala colloquially in Sinhalese 'beneath the massive rock' evidently was brought by the the village or sub village named 'Yatagama' vide : at page 13 of Millawa Gooneratne's book [supra] states that a school was erected . The pirivena of the temple is named Hettawala derived from Hetta Achala .i e ' beneath the massive rock'
Ven. Millawa Gooneratne's opus contains a rare photograph a chief incumbent Ven Kalahe Gooneratne posing with Hikkaduwe Sri Sumangala High Priest.
The temple though nestled at a most picturesque hillock after mounting of ninety steps ,is found in a most vulnerable locality as it is at a 'stone throw away 'distance from the Galle harbour the then main port of call, where the port functioned as a gateway for the invaders.
Therefore the role of the High priest Ketagoda Ratanajothi of the Yatagala Purana Raja Maha Viharaya was much alike the role played by the high priest Pallathtara Pugngnasara who re-located , re-discovered and re-built the Totagamuva Rathpat Purana Raja Maha Viharaya .
The reclining statue of the Buddha and the bronze statue over five feet are salient treasures of the yester year.
The historical temple and the precincts were declared as a monument by the Gazette notification no 617 dated 29th June 1990 , is indeed a gift for posterity.
Ven. Padalangala Assaji thero's remarkable book entitled: Yatagala Rajamaha Vihara Ithihasaya Ha Janashruthi ( The history of Yatagala temple and the Folklore ) would serve as a vade maecum on the temple .
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