The third, and uppermost, flight of the spectacular 13th century Yapahuwa stairway, leading to the entrance of what was likely once the Temple of the Tooth. After repeated South Indian invasions, Lanka’s ancient northern capitals had been abandoned (Anuradhapura in 1017, and Polonnaruwa in 1237), until King Bhuvanekabahu I established Yapauwa in 1272, as the capital of the Dambadeniya Kingdom. On his death in 1287, however, the Dravidians invaded and captured the city and, with it, the Tooth Relic of the Buddha; considered one of Buddhism’s holiest icons, and synonymous with royal rule on the island. With that, Yapahuwa was largely abandoned as well, becoming a hermitage for monks and ascetics. Sri Lanka, May 2022.
The 13th century sword of King Buwanekabahu of Yapahuwa. Shot on assignment at the National Museum, Colombo, for Serendib magazine. My photo story on the museum, “Katu Ge“, ran in the October 2017 issue.
Son of the Morning Light 