Ambalama
{{distinguish|text=the hotel with same name}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=July 2016}}
{{EngvarB|date=July 2016}}
File:පනාවිටිය අම්බලම (22).jpg dating to 1700s or before]]
An ambalama (Sinhala: අම්බලම) is a place constructed for pilgrims, traders and travellers to rest in Sri Lanka. This is a simple structure designed to provide shelter for the travellers.{{cite web|url=http://exploresrilanka.lk/2011/04/ambalamaa-stopover-on-a-journey-3/|title=Ambalama: A Stopover On A Journey, Explore Sri Lanka|access-date=4 June 2014|archive-date=3 March 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303215552/http://exploresrilanka.lk/2011/04/ambalamaa-stopover-on-a-journey-3/|url-status=dead}} The last examples of anbalange remained until about the end of the 1970s. There were no charges involved in using an Ambalama.{{cite web|url=https://archives.sundayobserver.lk/2001/pix/PrintPage.asp?REF=/2011/12/18/jun03.asp|title=Ambalama, a symbol of our heritage (Sunday Observer)|access-date=16 May 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140606214652/http://www.sundayobserver.lk/2001/pix/PrintPage.asp?REF=%2F2011%2F12%2F18%2Fjun03.asp|archive-date=6 June 2014|url-status = live|df=dmy-all}}
==History==
According to Anuradha Seneviratna and Benjamin Polk pilgrimage rest-houses like Ambalamas were well established before 230 BC as Mauryan kings issued orders carved on stones or iron columns for planting of avenues of trees and for building shelters for the comfort of pilgrims.Buddhist Monastic Architecture in Sri Lanka;
The Woodland Shrines By Anuradha Seneviratna, Benjamin Polk - 1992, page 123 Ambalamas in Sri Lanka, many of them several centuries old, have been kept close to their youth by the continuous replacements of decaying parts and are among the oldest wood structures in Sri Lanka.Buddhist Monastic Architecture in Sri Lanka;
The Woodland Shrines By Anuradha Seneviratna, Benjamin Polk - 1992, page 123 Prominent families of a locality donate and maintain a shelter, or they are put up by the villagers as a place to rest and meet.Buddhist Monastic Architecture in Sri Lanka; The Woodland Shrines By Anuradha Seneviratna, Benjamin Polk - 1992, page 123
In literature
In Salalihini and Gira sandeshas, there are references to Ambalamas.{{cite web|url=http://www.island.lk/index.php?page_cat=article-details&page=article-details&code_title=101548|title=THE ‘AMBALAMA’ (The Island)}}
Prominent Ambalamas
{{Div col|colwidth=22em}}
- Appallagoda Ambalama
- Giruwa Ambalama
- Kadugannawa Ambalama
- Panavitiya Ambalama
- Pita Kotte Gal Ambalama
- Karagahagedara Ambalama
- Padiwita Ambalama
- Marassana Ambalama
- Awariyawala Ambalama
- Godamunne Ambalama
- Kandewela Ambalama
- Hewawissa Ambalama
- Karalliyadda Ambalama
- Udunuwara Pitawala (Pallepitawala) Ambalama
- Patha Hewaheta Elikewala Ambalama
{{div col end}}
See also
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
- [https://web.archive.org/web/20140606222637/http://si.archaeology.lk/image_gallery.php?GalleryID=11 Ambalamas in Sri Lanka (in Sinhala)]
{{Sri Lankan Architecture}}
Category:Architecture in Sri Lanka
{{SriLanka-hist-stub}}