Pottuvil portraits 1
Muhudu Maha Viharaya
The statues in the pilima gey are carved from limestone. The Buddha statue is partly broken, one arm missing from the shoulder down, but the carving still has an air of grace .
Two figures face the statue. One is Vihara Maha Devi, always noted in history books as the mother of Dutu Gemunu.
Behind the statue — in the background — a flash of orange appears, bright against the rock. The small priests are hanging clothes out to dry. Running across the grass, laughing. One child picks up another. Children in the absence of mothers.
A sandy path leads up to to the chaitya on the hill. Lining the path is a long row of much newer statues. These are less finely done than the ones in the pilima gey. After reaching the chaitya we turn to come down. And as you go down the path you can see the hill curving down to the beach and in the distance — the sea
Note — Muhudu Maha Viharaya is said to have been built to mark the landing of Queen Vihara Maha Devi who became the the wife of King Kavantissa. It’s also known as Ruhunu Maha Viharaya/ Samudra Maha Viharaya (https://srilanka.travel/attraction&attraction_id=142)
Photo credits; Thilini Rajapakse
