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of
regenerating the down trodden splendor glory and magnificence of the
nation, is a Venerable
Sinhala Buddhist monk. He is Ven. Egodamulla Amaramoli Threro, the
chief incumbent of Vidyasagara Priven Vihara, Monaragala,
Rambodagalla, Rideegama, Kurunegala, who is also a Master Graduate.
Ven. Amaramoli Thero is shouldering the gigantic task of carving the
Samadhi Buddha Statue 67.5 feet high, utilizing a massive rock
situated in the temple Premises, Once the carving is Completed it
will go down in the history as the largest rock carved. Buddha Statue
in, Sri, Lanka.
The person who is
entrusted with the responsibility of the carving of the massive
Buddha Statue utilizing the coarse and stiff stone rock is the most
renowned sculptor from Bharatha, "Padma Sri" and "SILPA KALAMNI"
awards winner, M. M. Isthapathi. The first stage of this creation is
nearing Completion, under the personal Supervision of M. M.
Isthapathi, who is widely known and highly respected not only in
India but also in the other PARTS of the world, for his eminent
classical SCULPTURING arts. This middle aged veteran artist possesses
explicit qualities & pleasant and kind heartedness. With a constant
smile that adorn
his face. Although he has not carved a Buddha Statue yet, he is
having deep desire to do so, which has built up after the destruction
of the Barminian Buddha Statues in Afganistan, which had grieved him
so much. Why he was selected for "Padma Sri" award (which a few are,
a creation of statue of Krishna 60 feet high in front of Birla Museum
in Culcutta creating a statue of Mother Durgha on the bank of river
Krishna in the Andra Pradesh, which are examples of his creation
talents.
The Monaragala
Vihara is a sanctified field of merit, situated on a splendid rocky
plain. One who travels along the Kandy Road from Kurunegala up to
Mallawapitiya junction and turn to Keppitigala Road and travel up to
20 kilometer post can approach to Monaragala Vihara. It's five
kilometers from Rideegama. Although there is no exact confirmation of
the time of the commencement of the Vihara, it's not incorrect to
decide that the commencement took place in a period contemporary to
that of the constructions of Ridee Vihara. The ancient rock door
frame and the congregation of boundary posts which are remnant today
provide adequate data for proof.
In the year 1953 a
Dharnrna school was started by Ven. Kirimatiyawa Pannasagara Thero
and since then a Pre school for kids. The Vidya Sagara Pirivena, the
Eakle Vocational Training Centre sponsored by the Department of small
industries, The Indigenous Medical College that commenced from 1987
and developed Vihara to the helm of an Educational and Social Service
Institute. On the November Ven. Kirimatiyawe Pannasagara Thero
passed away as a result of a motor car accident that took place at
Jakartha, while he was engaged in a foreign Dhamma Mission in
Indonesia. Since then Ven. Egodamulle Amaramoli Thero is holding the
post of the Chief Incumbent of the vihara up to date.
The destruction of
the Bahaminian Buddha statues by the Thaliban extremists which was
considered as the largest Buddha Statue In the world today, provided
the basic concept to creating the rock statue of this nature. The
destruction of Buddha statue which was apprehended as a world
heritage was scorned by the whole civilized world, Ven. Amaramoli
Thero and the members of the statue carving committee who were deeply
grieved over this barbaric action, made a firm determination to carve
a large rock statue. Some ordained members of the clergy as well as
some laymen thought that this idea can never be fulfilled.
But Ven.
Arnaramoli Thero who had a deep confidence over the prerequisite
fulfillments of Lord Buddha to attain Buddhahood (Paramitha) started
the work with a firm determination. He selected a rock peak about 70
feet high, situated at the far end of the vihara premises as suitable
for the purpose. The rock peak appeared as it is adorned and refined
for the salutation of the Blessed one. Although the stone statue
carving committee proposed plans for creation of the statue, a
suitable artist for the purpose was a tremendous task. By the time of
the inauguration on 18th July 2001, we had identified a
local artist but we had to eliminate him after some time.
Although the
matter got delayed by six months without any proceedings, an
important clue was given by Mr. Iswaran who met accidentally at the
Ramboda kovil That's how the veteran artist Mr. M. M. Isthapathi,
Tamil Nadu, India shouldered the full responsibility.
We first met the
veteran at his residence on 07.02.2002 at 11.00 pm in the night, and
at the first discussion we had with him, he confirmed that to carve a
statue of 50 feet high, a team of 20 sculptures have to be employed
for two years and the estimated cost will be ten million Indian
rupees. He came to Sri Lanka, and inspected the rock peak and
increased the height of the statue to 67.5 feet and reduced his
earlier estimate of Indian Rupees Ten million to Five Million three
hundred thousand, and forwarded his estimate on 12. 04. 2002.
This rock peak is
situated on the western boundary of the Rambodgalia vihara land
facing In this natural formation of the rock has a projection
to the front. The floor on which the rock is Eastwards is been
downwards and 10 feet of the rock is now been excavated. The rock has
been cut 18.5 feet inwards and removed. The centre part of the rock
has been cut 12.5 feet inwards. The part of the rock that is
necessary for the carving of the statue has been turned and the
balanced rock parts on either sides have been removed. Now the
careful removal of the parts besides the areas needed for the statue
is been done these days. The area 18x18x18 feet needed for the head
of the statue is reserved and the balance rock has been removed.
Further 22 feet rock running down from the shoulders to the elbows of
both left and right sides have been reserved and balance have been
carved out. The portions of rock on either side of the left and right
knees are to be completely removed.
The Rarnbodagalla
is a region which is the habitat of poor peasants depending solely on
cultivation for which they do not even have irrigation facilities and
situated far away from the capital. As this is the part of the North
Western province close to the central province, from where the
gradually escalating of the hill country mountain chains could be
seen on all sides. The starting zone of the Daduru Oya is at the
close vicinity. Persons who are capable of shouldering this type
hefty consignments are scarce in this area. Whatever their financial
ability is, they have given wonderful support in this matter. The
sacrifice they made enabled us to spend 25 lacks of Rupees on this
work. During the period the stone statue carving committee was
engaged in this services, one clear fact that was quit apparent to
us, was the sudden flash of inspiration that referred the haughtiness
and religious sentiments concealed in their blood, and gear into
swift action with a rejoiceful mind.
Hon. Mahinda
Rajapakse holds a post an Honey. Vice Patron while Deshabandu
Karu Jayasuriya is the president, and Jayawickrama Perera
is a Vice President of Committee. The proprietor of Eswaran Brothers,
Colombo 14, holds the post of Chairman, Finance Committee. While "Lakbima"
acts as the official News paper, "The Sirasa Radio" gives
coverage on electronic media. The Stone Statue Carving Committee who
are inspired by the past haughtiness of magnificence and began the
creation of he largest miraculous stone carved Samadhi Buddha Statue,
have the pleasure to intimate to all the Sri Lankans living in the
Twenty first century have the scarece opportunity of being
participants of this historic event, who could be proud of handing
over the invaluable souvenir from the present generation, to their
younger generation. |
