Along the path to Lower Terrace
The main entrance to the temple
premises is at the surrounding ground level. Passing a Pilgrim's rest and the
Sanghavasa where the monks reside, the path leads towards the Lower Terrace and
the Ticket office. Here one can see the cave of Lord Chulla Tissa, bearing
early Brahmi scripts belonging to 2nd Century BC. Turning to left near the cave
takes one to the Lower Terrace area.
Lower Terrace with Two Cave Temples
-Terrace #1, Cave #1, Cave #2
Passing the Bo Tree and proceeding further, one comes to the First
Cave temple. This is called as the Cobra Cave Temple of the Great King. This
temple is considered to be built in 1808 AD just as the English concurred the
country. There is a large Reclined Buddha statue in this cave temple. There are
paintings of God Saman, God Kataragama, God Vishnu, and God Vibhishana on
temple walls. The cave's roof area is having paintings of the 24 Buddhas and
Floral designs. The second cave called as ' Paduma Rahath ' temple also have a
large Reclining Buddha image. There is a small painted Dagoba found inside the
cave with Jataka Stories of Thelapatta and Vessantara painted on the inside of
the built in front wall. This cave is connected to an Arhat Bikku of an earlier
time as the name implies.
Path leading to Bodhiya Terrace or Bodhi
Maluwa
Coming back towards the Cave with Inscriptions and Ticket Office,
and going straight along the path with sections of steps takes one towards the
second terraced temple. This path shows a section of the Rock face quite
clearly. Halfway through, opposite the Resting Building, the steep section of
steps leads to the terrace area. There is a rock with 6-7 Century AD
inscription near this inter section.
Bo Tree Terrace - Cave
Terrace # 2, Cave # 3
This small sized cave consists
of a Reclined Buddha statue with Arhat Sariputta and Arhat Moggallana images by
the two sides of the Buddha image. Seated and Standing Buddha figures also can
be found here. The wall paintings depicting some important incidences of Lord
Buddha's life are also of interest. Many paintings have been given titles here
and amongst them are the 'Anotatta Vila',' Uturu Kuru Divayina' , and 'Birth of
Prince Siddartha' at Lumbini. A place to worship Gods also can be seen at one
side of the temple.
Cave Terrace #3, Cave # 4- Parana Viharaya
Climbing up the stone steps and coming through the Vahalkada, the
terrace containing the last four cave temples can be observed. Coming through
the Vahalkada and going straight towards the doorway, is to the 'Parana
Viharaya' or the Old Temple. This is the oldest of the four temples found here
hence called by that name.There is a stone doorway to enter the inner shrine
which is dated back to 1849 AD. The stone doorway is carved with a design of
floral decorations and squirrels. The Sleeping or the Reclined Buddha image is
highly decorative with minute details containing the kandyan era Buddhist
sculpturing. There are standing Buddha images numbering eight by the side of
the head position with Abaya Mudra. Paintings of 'Sath Sathiya' and
'Solosmasthana' or the sixteen places sanctified by the Lord Buddha can be
found in this cave temple. Kandyan era wooden column decorations also can be
seen here.
Cave Terrace
#3, Cave # 5- Aluth Viharaya
This temple is newer and had been renovated around 1918 .The
temple has two doorways and the doorways are decorated with impressive 'Makara
Torana' or Dragon Arches. The Gods of the Four Cardinal points as considered by
Buddhists, called as 'Satharavaram Devi' are sculptured by the two doorways.
They are called as 'Visravana','Virupakse', 'Virudha' and 'Dratharashta'. A
Reclined Buddha, Seated Buddha and Standing Buddha statues can be found here.
Three past Buddhas , 'Kakusanda', 'Konagama', 'Kashyapa' and Gauthama Buddha
images are to be seen there.
Cave Terrace #3, Cave # 6- Cobra temple or 'Naga
Viharaya'
Located at the furthest
left side of the Terrace is the Cobra Cave Temple. There is a reclined Buddha
image, seated Buddha image, standing Buddha image as well as images of the
first five disciples or Pas Vaga Bikkus. The earlier villagers were of the belief
that there had been a tunnel from this cave that surfaced up in the area of
Hakmana , many miles away.
Cave Terrace #3, Cave #7 -
Parinirvana Viharaya or the 'Parinirvana' Buddha Temple
This is the last cave temple found at Mulkirigala and the only Parinirvana
Buddha image is found in this temple. This temple is dedicated to the last
moments of the Gauthama Buddha with sculptures of grieving bikkus, Kings and
Gods. The paintings depicts the events such as Distribution of Buddha relics by
Drona brahmin.
Final
Ascend to Upper Bodhiya Terrace and Chetiya Terrace- Terrace #4 and #5
To reach the topmost terraces,
there is a fascinating path made by cutting steps in to the living rock with a
very uncommon design, not found else where in the island. Actually there is a
route leading up and a separate one when coming down from the upper terrace.
Reaching the Bodhi Maluwa, is the present two Bo Tree saplings originated from
the Jaya Sri Maha Bo Tree of Anuradhapura. From the Bodhi Terrace the stairs
leads to the final terrace containing the Dagoba or the Chetiya with Buddha
Relics. There is a structure used for offering homage to the Buddha near the
dagoba. This highest elevated point gives a fine view of the surrounding
landscape too.
Coming down to the lower terrace
from Bodhi terrace takes you through the second path of stone cut steps , which
finally joins the other stone step section.
