Isurumuniya

Isurumuniya is a very famous and ancient temple in sri lanka.There are many valuable carvingstatues can be seen in the temple.Isurumuniya is located near Thissa Wewa in Anuradhapura,Sri Lanka.There are 4 carvings that attracts visitors,tourists and also devotees that located in this vihara.These are isurumuniya loverselephant pond and the royal family carving.According to the stories and legends,this is the place that the Pulasthi Rishi was said to live and the place of birth of the great king Ravana.But this temple was built in this place  by the king Devanampiyathissa who ruled in Anuradhapura from 307B.C to 267 B.C.Isurumuniya was built for 500 children of high-caste who ordained as a reside.And again king Kashyapa1 renovated isurumuniya and named it as “Boupalvan Kasubgiri Ratmaha Vehera”.This name was  created with the names of his 2 daughters and his name.This temple built associating with a cave and a cliff.A stupa is on the cliff .It is proved that the constructional work and structure belongs to the present period.Lower down on both sides of a cleft,in a rock that appears to rise out of a pool,have been carved the figures of elephants.And also there is a figure of a horse head and the man carved in the rock,that is very famous.The Isurumuniya lovers is also very attractive carving on a stone and it was carved in another place and brought there and placed in it.Few yards away from Isurumuniya,the Ranmasu Uyana can be foun



Carvings

  • Isurumuniya Lovers



It is a carving of two lovers.The women in this carving,seated on man’s lap,lifts a warning finger,but the man carries regardless.It is believed that the man in this carving is the son of king Dutugemunu,Saliya and the women is a low caste maiden called Asokamala the women Saliya  loved.It is reported that Saliya gave up the throne for her.As  in reports this carving first placed in Vessagiriya offered to Bhikkus.

Royal Family Carving


The Roayal family carving is carved on a granite plate.It is believes tha it is the king Dutugemunu and his family.There are five human figures in the carving.King Dutugemunu in the middle with a tall crown,’Poona Noola’ around his chest.At his left hand side,another two human figures fanning him with a ‘Wijinipath’.