Yapahuwa Paradise Resort

We at the Yapahuwa Paradise will go out our way to make your stay in Yapahuwa Paradise a pleasure through our various facilities backed by gracious hospitality and courteous service.

The comfort and charm of the Hotel compliments the natural beauty and wonder of the surrounding. No matter how you choose to relax the beauty of the natural surrounding will help you.

The Hotel’s Lobby has been designed to create a feeling of warmth and comfort. The ambience is homely and inviting.

You will notice when you come to the Hotel, the way we make you feel welcome. Warm smiles of the staff at the Hotel make sure you feel at home and rest assured. We are always ready with a smile to pamper you and make you feel comfortable.


Location
Yapahuwa Paradise is strategically located in the historical city of Yapahuwa, just 115 km from Bandaranayake International Airport, 154 km from Colombo and 53 km away from Kurunegala by side of the main road Padeniya via Anuradhapura.
The only resort is Yapahuwa Paradise in Kurunegala District, Situated amidst the lush tranquility of landscaped garden with a panoramic view of the beautiful lake.


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Guest Facilities

• Restaurant
• Indoor games
• IDD facilities
• Conference & Banquet facilities (300 Guests)
• Sports & Entertainment
• Swimming pool
• Billiard
• Kingfisher Bar
• Water Polo
• Darts
• Nature walks
• E mail & Internet facilities
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  

Source :- View the Official site here

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Yapahuwa (Kingdom of Dambadeniya)

Yapahuwa kingdom

Yapahuwa was one of the ephemeral capitals of medieval Sri Lanka. The citadel of Yapahuwa lying midway between Kurunagala and Anuradhapura was built around a huge granite rock rising abruptly almost a hundred meters above the surrounding lowlands.
In 1272, King Bhuvenakabahu transferred the capital from Polonnaruwa to Yapahuwa in the face of Dravidian invasions from South India, bringing the Sacred Tooth Relic with him. Following the death of King Bhuvenakabahu in 1284, the Pandyans of South India invaded Sri Lanka once again, and succeeded in capturing Sacred Tooth Relic. Following its capture, Yapahuwa was largely abandoned and inhabited by Buddhist monks and religious ascetics.


Location and Name



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The rock fortress complex of Yapahuwa is situated in the Wayamba province of Sri Lanka. About 4 km southeast of the town and railway station of Maho, midway between Kurunegala and Anuradhapura.
The original name of this Buddhist Heritage site is Yapawwa though now often called as Yapahuwa which is a kind of distortion of its genuine etymological sense.

History

Yapahuwa served as the capital of Sri Lanka in the latter part of the 13th century (1273–1284). Built on a huge, 90 meter high rock boulder in the style of the Sigiriya rock fortress, Yapahuwa was a palace and military stronghold against foreign invaders.
The palace and fortress were built by King Buvanekabahu I (1272–1284) in the year 1273. Many traces of ancient battle defences can still be seen, while an ornamental stairway, is its biggest showpiece. On top of the rock are the remains of a stupa, a Bodhi tree enclosure, and a rock shelter/cave used by Buddhist monks, indicating that earlier this site was used as a Buddhist monastery, like many boulders and hills in the area. There are several caves at the base of the rock. In one of them there is a shrine with Buddha images. One cave has a Brahmi script inscription. At the southern base of the rock there is a fortification with two moats and ramparts. In this enclosure there are the remains of a number of buildings including a Buddhist shrine. There is also a Buddhist temple called Yapawwa Rajamaha Vihara built during the Kandyan period.
The Tooth Relic was brought from Dambadeniya and kept in the Tooth Temple built for the purpose at the top of the third staircase. The relics were carried away from the temple here to South India by the Pandyas, and then recovered in 1288 by Parakkramabahu III (1287–1293), who temporarily placed them in safety at Polonnaruwa.

Source :- View the Official site here

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Yapahuwa Rock Fortress

Located about 130 kilometers from Colombo, or about a 3 ½ hour drive,

is one of Sri Lanka’s ancient capitals.  This is the Yapahuwa Rock Fortress,

which is built on the side of a huge 90 meter high boulder.  During a

period of political instability, King Bhuvanekabahu I moved his capital to

Yapahuwa in 1272, taking with him the sacred Tooth Relic.  After his death,

the fortress fell into obscurity and was eventually abandoned.

The stone staircase leading to the remains of the Tooth Temple half way up

the rock is the most impressive feature of the Fortress, and it is embellished

with beautiful friezes of musicians, dancers and drummers.  There are

also well-preserved guard stones and animal statuettes.  On reaching

the top, the visitor is rewarded with a panoramic view of the surrounding

area, as well as a close-up view of the doorway that once led into the

Tooth Temple.

At the foot of the rock is a monastery and a small museum which contains

some statues and various antiquities.  There is also a collection of ancient

Chinese coins and pottery from the Sung Dynasty, which shows that

Bhuvanekabahu had some contact with China.  To access the museum,

request the key from one of the caretaker monks who will usually oblige.

The large and ornate golden key is itself an interesting artifact.

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