Kotte Raja Maha Viharaya
The sacred Tooth Relic of the Buddha is the all-encompassing symbol of the Sinhala nation and has been so ever since it was brought to the island by Prince Dantha and Princess Hemamala. It has always brought consolation, sanctity and security to the nation. It was the premier significance of legitimacy for the sovereign. Monarchs staked their lives in safeguarding it and would-be usurpers of the throne coveted it. Even today, the mere thought of the Tooth Relic safe inside the Dalada Maligawa in Mahanuwara infuses a feeling of security among the devout, that as long as it exists, things will not degenerate beyond the point of no return. It tells us that the teachings of Lord Buddha are alive and therefore that the Enlightened One himself is among us, protecting us with the Dhamma.
Today, the Tooth Relic is invariably associated with the Esala Perahera. Traditionally, however, the "perahera" was done wherever the seat of royal power happened to be. And so it was that almost six centuries ago a "Dalada Perahera" was held in Kotte, the capital during the reign of Parakrama Bahu the sixth. During his reign, from 1415 to 1467, it is said, the Tooth Relic was placed in a three storied palace, the location of which is yet unknown.
After the reign of Parakrama Bahu VI, Wijeyabahau II alias Weera Parakrama Bahu (1467-1472) who was the son of Ulakudaya devi daughter of king Parakramabahu VI succeeded him. The famous warrior chieftain "Sapumal Kumaraya" who brought the rebellion of Jaffna under control and the creator of the famous Nallur Kovil of Jaffna succeeded Wijebahu II as Sri Buvanekabahu VI (1472-1480) his son succeeded him as Panditha Parakrama Bahu VII (1480-1484) he was succeeded by the brother of "Sapumal Kumaraya" as Weera Parakramabahu VIII (1484-1503) and was also known as "Ambulagala Kumaraya". His son Dharama Parakramabahu XI (1503-1519) succeeded him. The portugue se landed in Sri Lanka during the reign of this king. It was during this period that the famous saying "Parangiya Kotte Giya" came into the folk lore. He was succeeded by Wijeyabahu VI (1519-1521). This king was killed by his own sons and this was known as the famous "Wijeyaba Kollaya" the reason was that the king wanted to give the kingdom to the son of the queen of his second marriage and the king was his step father. His own sons rose against him due to this unreasonable decision. He was succeeded by the eldest son of his first marriage king Buvenekabahu VII (1521-1550) he was murdered by the Portuguese in a very secretive manner whilst on an inspection tour to Malwana fort. He was succeeded by Don Juan Dharmapala (1550-1597) whose father was the famous warrior Veediya Bandara who was married to the king’s daughter. He was a puppet king under the Portuguese and was a very weak ruler. He was baptized by the Portuguese, although he was the king it was the Portuguese who ruled the country and they ransacked all the country’s wealth some of which are yet at Portugal. His period of rule still gives a lot of heartburn to all proud Sri Lankans and it is best forgotten. He spent his years in the Portuguese fort as, he fled Kotte unable to bear the onslaught of King Mayadunne.
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