Dehadu Kadulla - ancient Kadadora Gateway in Kotmale Valley
|
|
Dehadu Kadulla is a small archaological site in the village of Kadadora village in the Kotmale valley. The ancient gateway, located only about 200 m (650 feet) east of the car park of the Kotmale Dam museum, is made of roughly cut stone and rubble. The entrance is protected by two protuding walls. The opening of the entrance, sheltered by a large monolithic lintel, is 2.17 m (7 feet) tall.
Dehadu Kadulla is said to have been one of the four entrances to the Maya Rata, which was the western part of ancient Lanka between the rivers of Deduru Oya and Kalu Ganga, with Kelaniya being the capital. It avvordingly marked the border to Ruhunu (Rohana), the southeastern kingdom of ancient times. Mayarata is said to have had four entrances, of which only the Kada Dora alias Dehadu Kadulla has survived. The ancient name may have been "Kandadvara", which means "hills gateway", from which the Sinhalese toponym "Kadadora" is derived.
The Dehadu Kadulla is believed to be the place where Prince Dutugemunu (Dutthagamani) hid his sword (Magul Kaduwa) inside a tree, when he had to flee from the wrath of his father, King Kavantissa of Rohana. The name of Dehadu Kadulla might refer to this sword, though the term literally translates to "double gate". But "kadul" means "sword" in the Sinhalla language.
Dehadu Kadulla is said to have been one of the four entrances to the Maya Rata, which was the western part of ancient Lanka between the rivers of Deduru Oya and Kalu Ganga, with Kelaniya being the capital. It avvordingly marked the border to Ruhunu (Rohana), the southeastern kingdom of ancient times. Mayarata is said to have had four entrances, of which only the Kada Dora alias Dehadu Kadulla has survived. The ancient name may have been "Kandadvara", which means "hills gateway", from which the Sinhalese toponym "Kadadora" is derived.
The Dehadu Kadulla is believed to be the place where Prince Dutugemunu (Dutthagamani) hid his sword (Magul Kaduwa) inside a tree, when he had to flee from the wrath of his father, King Kavantissa of Rohana. The name of Dehadu Kadulla might refer to this sword, though the term literally translates to "double gate". But "kadul" means "sword" in the Sinhalla language.
