Dambulu Somavathi complex

The site is situated somewhat behind its more famous Dambulla Rangiri Raja Maha Viharaya, adjoining the Sri Valagamba Pirivena and is relatively unknown to the usual pilgrim and tourist to Dambulla.

Here the Somawathi Chaithiya dedicated to the queen of King Valagamba is still in the process of being rebuilt. Its vast brick mass looms incomplete up towards the blue skies. Around it is displayed an ancient ‘Siri Pathula’ stone and some stone alter slabs.

What is interesting here is that the old path to the Dambulla cave temple lies from this site. Called the ‘Raja Mawatha,’ it includes a flight of carved stone steps on the rock. On this rock are cut steps, trekked by the royals of yore, to worship at the Dambulla cave shrines above. Short records have been found cut into the sides of these rock steps. Some of these are by ancient kings. One such record that has been deciphered records that the ‘Lord of men, King Kutakanna Abhaya (41-19 BC) was responsible for making thirteen steps of the flight.