Myths, Stories, and Legends Surrounding Famous Places in Sri Lanka
Find out some of Sri Lanka’s most famous stories and legends!
Something wicked this way comes. Sri Lanka has always been a place of mystery, an island with tall tales about legendary creatures hiding within walls, monuments, plants, and even in the sky!
This particular set of legends starts with the noblewoman Valli Amma who lived in ancient times. This bold princess grew up in the depths of the jungle. She was raised by hunters, and at a very young age, she fell madly and deeply in love with the hunting god, Kande Yaka. Wise and awesome Yaka presided over the Kataragama mountain and watched Kande Yaka. When he discovered how much the young maiden adored him, he disguised himself as a human and came down to earth to win her heart in person. Unfortunately, Valli was too convinced by the disguise and didn’t fall for the human version of the mountain spirit at first. However, you’ll be pleased to know that they fell in love eventually and so the story ends happily ever after!
Now for a historical tale rather than a myth. It is well known that Sri Lanka is a very special country for Buddhists. Indeed, one of Sri Lankas ancient capitals, Anuradhapura, is a place which houses one of the most significant fig trees in Buddhist tradition, Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi. It was under the original Bodhi tree, Sri Maha Bodhi, which is located in Buddha Gaya, India, that Lord Buddha first gained enlightenment. Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi in Sri Lanka was planted in 249 BC from the southern branch of the original tree and it is now the oldest tree in the world that has a known planting date. Buddhists from all over the island and beyond have been visiting this mysterious and historical fig tree on pilgrimages since Buddhism began. It is thought that if you meditate underneath it, the tree can help with the healing of ailments and that it can promote the safe arrival of newborn babies.
The separation of Sri Lanka from its original land mass and its formation as an island is, in itself, a story that is steeped in folkloric tales. Ancient beliefs say that the island formed as a result of a giant rupture, and that this traumatic rupture came as a punishment for the wickedness of ten-armed and ten-headed mythical creature, Ravana. Scientists are convinced that seismic and volcanic activity made this beautiful teardrop-shaped island form, but who is to say that the myth is not true?
One of the contenders for the Eight Wonders of the World stands on the beautiful island of Sri Lanka – Sigiriya, a monastery that has stood tall for over two thousand years. Its futuristic architecture has led some to speculate that rather than being a human creation, Sigiriya might have been erected by aliens! Could it be that ancient creatures from a foreign planet built this stunning monument so long ago? More traditional beliefs suggest that the temple was constructed by Vishwakarma, the engineer of the gods and that it was intended for Kuwera, the lord of wealth and the gods’ treasurer. Nobody will ever know the truth. One things for sure, this truly is a feat of ancient engineering.
Sri Lanka is an exquisite land full of treasures for the eyes. It is a wonderful place to visit and to live and it is waiting for you to discover its natural and architectural gems and to learn more about its ancient stories, myths, and legends.
Posted Date: 6th October 2016
