Dambadeniya
About 30km south-west of Kurunegala, become prominent in the
mid-13th century when the capital was moved there by Parakramabahu
II (1236- 1270) together with the Tooth Relic. Little remains
of the palace buildings though 6 ponds are still there. The
2-storey temple (originally three) about 400m south, which has
Buddha images, is identified as the Vijayasundaramaya. It has
some interesting wall painting dating fro the 18th century,
when it was restored. It was used to exhibit the Tooth Relic
which was normally housed in another temple near the palace.
Dambadeniya
on the Kurunegala - Nigombo road was a Royal capital in mid in the 13th
century. Excavations have uncovered remains of the temple of the tooth
relic and the Royal palace, ponds and Garden layouts, moats & city
walls etc.
Historic
in nature, majestic in repose is Dambadeniya, selected as the capital of
the kingdom of Sri Lanka by king Vijayabahu the 3rd (1232-36). The
sovereignty of the country was at stake as a result of invasions, which
dislodged Polonnaruwa as the capital. Vijayabahu, the king of the
Dambadeniya dynasty fought the invaders and established Dambadeniya. On
the summit of the Dambadeniya rock he built fortifications and sturdy
walls and gates. The city was
made secure in its day by a moat, a marsh and ramparts round the royal
palace. During the reign of king Parakramabahu (1236-70), Dambadeniya reached the zenith of its glory