Heritage.... Era of the Lion

Today's travelling story, (well obviously it's about the 8 kingdoms of past) is mainly based on the cultural aspects of my country Sri Lanka. The eight kingdoms in order are Anuradhapura, Polonnaruwa, Dambadeniya, Yapahuwa, Kurunegala, Gampola, Kotte and Mahanuwara (Kandy). Extending over about 2500 years, we have legends, stories and mysteries woven around a great culture. Firstly known to be "Hingala" the root of word 'Sinhala' stands to give the meaning the nation of lion. Our sources of history gives details of our origin which is believed to be from the neighbouring country India. So before I start off telling about Kingdoms, let me start off my journey with that epic saga of a nation's pride. 

A pandiyan king from India had a young daughter named Suppa Devi. She was a stubborn young princess who did not heed any of her father's commands. Soon the word spread that there was a lion attacking a village belonging to king's territory and at the same time the princess ran away from home. We do not know whether the mentioned Lion was actually a lion or an etiquette given for a person. However,princess was rescued by the lion and they fell in love. The lion took her to his cave and locked her there trapping the entrance with a masiive stone. 

Later, Suppa Devi gave birth to a boy and a girl. They named them as Sinha Bahu and Sinha Sevali. Sinha Bahu grew up to be a strong man just like his father. He soon started asking questions
about the cave, their father from his mother who had no answers for them. One day Sinha Bahu tried to escape from the cave and succeeded. He took his sister and mother and ran away. The lion who returned later at dusk saw this and died in pain. Sinha Bahu had so much strength that he arranged a very comfortable palace for his sister and mother. Later it was expanded to a kingdom where Sinha Bahu married his sister Sinha Seevali and became king. He had so many sons and among them were the eldest; Prince Vijaya. He was an arrogant and a stubborn prince who strayed all over the kingdom and dishonoured king's name. Soon he was banished from the kingdom with 700 followers in a grand ship. He sailed and sailed and came ashore. It was a beautiful island with sand untouched. Sand was so much like bronze dust, thus named the land as 'Thambapanni'. 

They explored into the wild and sources tell us that Prince Vijaya met a beautiful young lady with near cotton trees and a weaving wheel. Talented as his father, Prince Vijaya soon realized this was a native and charmed her into taking his troops to her village. She was named Kuweni, the daughter of the village head for the tribe Yaksha. She was supposed to be royalty which means whoever marries her become the crowned prince. Realizing his great opportunity Prince Vijaya proposed Kuweni. Disregarding her father and her tribe, she married Prince Vijaya giving him the legal control over the island. She had two children from that marriage. Prince Vijaya soon abandoned Kuweni and asked for a princess from his motherland in order to have a real coronation. Indian kings sent him Princess Vijai who came her and married Prince Vijaya. They ruled happily but for some reasons they did not have any children. I told you that my country's history is so full of mysteries and legends. Some sources provide us reviews of such a mystery that the reason for King Vijaya and Queen Vijai to not to have children is a curse cast upon them by Kuweni because of the misfortune caused to her by the king. It is also a famous belief that our native tribes so oftenly known as 'Wedda' originated from Kuweni's children. 

To ensure the continuity of the kingdom King Vijaya sent for an heir to India. As a result of that Prince Panduwasadewa came to Thambapanni and took over the kingdom. He also sent for a princess from India. Princess Baddhakachchayana came along with her seven brothers here. Her brothers settled down in various parts of the country. History reveals facts that Princess Baddhakachchayana was a descendant of Princess Yashodara: wife of Prince Siddhartha who later became Lord Buddha. Princess Baddhakachchayana was a true beauty and her beauty could not be matched to any other. She gave birth to 10 boys and a girl who was named as Chithra. Her name is undoubtedly a very famous one because there are many songs and stories woven based on her story. If you recall your memo, you surely would remember film ABA by veteran actor Jackson Anthony. It was about Princess Chithra's son. Another beautiful page of history that attract many eyes and ears each day....... 

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