Dambadeniya Kingdom - 1232-1273

Dambadeniya is located in Kurunegala district, hiding a ruined ancient city. It has been the capital for more than five decades in ancient Sri Lanka. Much of the ancient city is still lied burring on a huge fortified rock.Area of the top of the rock was not less than 6 acres. The complex of Royal palace, a temple for the Sacred Tooth Relic, 3 major ponds & security points were placed on it.

Indian invasions in the early 13th century briefly dislodged Polonnaruwa as the royal capital and brought the royal palaces to a century-long hiatus in the north-west of the island. Vijayabahu III (1232-36) fought these invaders and retreated to build his palace on the summit of Dambadeniya, which was solidly fortified and secured by a moat, marsh and sturdy ramparts.

The Sinhala king Vijayabahu III (1232-1236), who had attained the sovereignty well on in life, made his capital at Dambadeniya in Kurunegala District, and calling back the priests from India conveyed the Tooth and Bowl Relics from their hiding place in Kotmale to the seat of government. He only reigned four years, and before his death committed to the care of the priesthood his sons, ParakramaBahu and BhuvanaikaBahu, both of whom were children.

Among these kings, King Parakcramabahu II was a very talented king in Dambadeniya period. Therefore he is called "Namibabara Kalikala Sangeetha Saruwagna Pandith" And also he carried the Temple of the Tooth to the Wijesundarama Temple during the Dambadeniya era.Pandita Parakrama Bahu II (1236-1271), was born at Sirivardhanapura not far from Dambadeniya. His first act after his coronation was to bring the Tooth Relic and lodge it at the capital. He then turned his attention to the recovery of Polonnaruva from the Pandaya, and achieved this purpose by 1244. The rest of the reign according to the contemporary records was spent in pious works ; the king also held a convocation for the purpose of reforming the priesthood, whose discipline had been relaxed during the Pandaya occupation. After reigning thirty-three years he abdicated in favor of his eldest son VijayaBahu. The new king occupied himself in works of piety, and in completing the restoration of Polonnaruva. Having attended to restorations at Anuradhapura, VijayaBahu sent for his father to Polonnaruwa, where he was crowned a second time. The Tooth Relic having been brought, Parakrama held his ninth ordination festival at Dahastota, and then returned to Dambadeniya, where he died in his thirty-fifth year. VijayaBahu IV (1271-1273) now was sole king, but was assassinated, by his general Mitta, who seated himself on the lion throne. His younger brother, BhuvanaikaBahu succeeded in escaping; the usurper failing to secure allegiance of the south Indian mercenaries, who had been won over by the true heir, was murdered, and the BhuvanaikaBahu I (1273-1284) crowned and reigned eleven years. Early in his reign he had to deal with a Pandyan invasion, which he repelled; thereafter he lived for a few years at Dambadeniya, and then removed to Yapahuwa.

A Dhamila general Ariyacakkavattin laid waste Lanka and the sacred Tooth Relic and all the costly treasures he seized and made over to Pandu king Kulasekhara (1268-1308). BhuvanaikaBahu's son ParakramaBahu III (1302-1310) seeing no other means visited the Pandu King and by friendly negotiations, inclined him favourably and brought back the Tooth Relic to Lanka.

Rock trap

Mukunwanna Pond

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