Deeghawapi

Deeghawapi, with its Pali name Dīghavāpī translating to "long reservoir," stands as a significant Buddhist sacred shrine and an important archaeological site located in the Ampara District of Sri Lanka. Historical accounts trace its origins back to the 3rd century BCE, a period when water reservoirs, known as "tanks," were a crucial element of the ancient Sri Lankan hydraulic civilization, with temples and cities often developing around them.

Legend and Ancient History

The veneration of Deeghawapi is deeply rooted in legends, most notably concerning purported visits by the Buddha himself. Ancient chronicles such as the Mahavamsa (written in the 5th century CE) and the earlier Dipavamsa, along with the Pali work Samantha Pasaadika, contain numerous allusions to Deeghawapi. These texts suggest that on the very spot where the Buddha is said to have meditated, a cetiya was later erected. While the historical likelihood of the Buddha's physical presence at Dighavapi is considered remote by some, the persistent legend underscores the site's profound spiritual importance from ancient times. A pious tale from the Pali literary work Saararthapakaasani recounts a novice monk miraculously saved after falling from the Dighavapi cetiya by recalling a protective chant.

Archaeological evidence further supports the site's ancient history. Numerous ancient inscriptions have been discovered in the vicinity, including a gold leaf inscription unearthed in 1986, which was deposited within a gold reliquary. This inscription mentions King Kannittha Tissa, who reigned from 164 to 192 CE, and refers to a stupa or reliquary. More extensive historical and lithographic records place the region within the Ruhuna kingdom, particularly during the era of King Kavan-Tissa and his sons. The area was known in the 3rd century BCE as the district of "Dighamandala" or "Digaamadulla." King Dutugemunu's brother, Tissa (later known as Saddhatissa), governed this district and later retired to Dighavapi with his mother. Saddhatissa is credited with founding the main Dighavapi-vihara and constructing a cetiya there, to which he made significant offerings. Later historical references also connect Deeghawapi to the campaigns of King Parakramabahu I in the 12th century.

Medieval Times and Later Settlers

The Dighavapi Vihara and Chetiya continued to receive royal patronage and attract pilgrims through challenging periods. In 1638 CE, King Rajasinghe II granted the area around Deeghawapi to the Dutch in exchange for their assistance in expelling the Portuguese from Sri Lanka's coastal regions. This arrangement also included trading rights for the Dutch East India Company. Descendants of Dutch settlers still reside in the region. Additionally, in 1736, Muslims who traced their ancestry to Arab refugees settled in the Ampara district, around Deeghawapi, by King Senerat in 1726, also became part of the area's population.

Stupa Restoration

In recent times, significant efforts have been made to restore and reconstruct the ancient premises. In 2021, a 'Deeghawapi Trust Fund' was established, initiating a project to rebuild the stupa and its surrounding structures. With the involvement of the Sri Lankan Army, construction has progressed, with the stupa reaching a height of 10 feet. The project was anticipated to conclude by the end of 2023.