If ever anywhere perfectly epitomised one of the original names for Sri Lanka – Serendib – from which the term serendipity (the effect by which one accidentally discovers something fortunate) is derived, then it is Ramba Viharaya. It is an extraordinarily historical and beautiful site, albeit on a small scale, and yet it doesn’t feature in any guidebooks about Sri Lanka.
Ramba Viharaya, situated 12 miles south of Embilipitiya, is an ancient Buddhist temple complex located on the banks of the Walawe Ganga (river) and has been newly declared a heritage site. The Walawe Ganga is the same river that passes north east of Embilipitiya and feeds the Udawalawe reservoir to the north of the town.
The temple site, which is still undergoing extensive excavation, is believed to be part of the medieval capital of Sri Lanka in the 11th century, Maha Nagakula. The photograph above, taken in March/April 2008, shows just one of the fascinating ruins on the site.
The Sri Lankan government, with UNESCO funding, is in the process of acquiring private land in the vicinity to ensure further protection for potential historical sites and facilitate controlled and legal excavation.
A new museum has been opened on the site, exhibiting many of the items discovered during excavations.
The site and/or legend appears to have inspired the Indiana Jones and the Emperor’s Tomb video game (Wikipedia article), featuring the Idol of Ramba Vihara (Ceylon: Gates to the Lost City).
Several fascinating articles are available online if you’re interested in learning more about the site and excavations:
