Yapahuwa

The rock fortress complex of Yapahuwa is situated in the Wayamba province of Sri Lanka. Yapahuwa served as the capital of Sri Lanka in the latter part of the 13th century (1273-1284). Built on a huge rock boulder in the style of the Sigiriya rock fortress, Yapahuwa was a military stronghold against foreign invaders.

Yapahuwa An ancient fortress and capital built in the year 1273. Yapahuwa is a rock rising to a height of 90m. Many traces of ancient battle defences can still be seen, while an ornamental stairway, remains its biggest showpiece.


"Yapahuva" the the 13th Century capital in Sri Lanka, was made King Buvanekabahu I (1273-1284). Here the chief object is the rock which rises about 300 ft above the surrounding land. The land at the base to the south is fortified with two moats and ramparts . In this enclosure there are the remains of a number of buildings.

The Tooth Relic too was brought from Dambadeniya and kept in the Tooth Temple built for the purpose at the top of the third staircase.

A 48 minute DVD film, made in 2001 all about Yapahuwa is available from george.hodges@talk21.com




This fortress capital capital of the Sinhalese kings when abandoned was inhabited by Buddhist monk and religious ascetics. The relics were carried away from the temple here to South India by the Pandyas, and then recovered in 1288 by Parakkramabahu III (r1287-1293), who temporarily placed them in safety at Polonnaruwa. ROUTES Return from the main road and turn north to Mahagalkadawala (24km); turn left in town to see Rajangane (1km) and Anuradhapura (37km).

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.

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