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. The last examples of anbalange remained until about the end of the 1970s. There were no charges involved in using an Ambalama.
History
According to
Anuradha Seneviratna and
Benjamin Polk
File:Narayanhiti Palace Museum.jpg, 280px, Narayanhity Palace Museum (formerly Narayanhity Royal Palace) in Kathmandu, Nepal
Benjamin Kauffman Polk (18 May 1916 – 23 April 2001) was an American designer and architect, best known for his work ...
pilgrimage rest-houses like Ambalamas were well established before 230 BC as
Mauryan
The Maurya Empire, or the Mauryan Empire, was a geographically extensive Iron Age historical power in the Indian subcontinent based in Magadha, having been founded by Chandragupta Maurya in 322 BCE, and existing in loose-knit fashion until 1 ...
kings issued orders carved on stones or iron columns for planting of avenues of trees and for building shelters for the comfort of pilgrims. 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. 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.
In literature
In Salalihini and Gira sandeshas, there are references to Ambalamas.
Prominent Ambalamas
*
Appallagoda Ambalama
*
Giruwa Ambalama
*
Kadugannawa Ambalama
Kadugannawa Ambalama ( Sinhala:කඩුගන්නාව අම්බලම) is a historic wayside rest that is found – on the left, when traveling from ''Colombo to Kandy'', a few metres before the Kadugannawa Hairpin turn aka Kadugannaw ...
*
Panavitiya Ambalama
*
Pita Kotte Gal Ambalama
Pita Kotte Gal Ambalama ( Sinhala:පිටකෝට්ටේ ගල් අම්බලම) is a historic Ambalama building (wayside rest) situated at Pita Kotte junction, Western province, Sri Lanka. It was used as a resting place or waiting p ...
* Karagahagedara Ambalama
* Padiwita Ambalama
* Marassana Ambalama
* Awariyawala Ambalama
* Godamunne Ambalama
* Kandewela Ambalama
* Hewawissa Ambalama
* Karalliyadda Ambalama
* Udunuwara Pitawala (Pallepitawala) Ambalama
* Patha Hewaheta Elikewala Ambalama
See also
*
Flophouse
A flophouse (American English) or dosshouse (British English) is a place that offers very low-cost lodging, providing space to sleep and minimal amenities.
Characteristics
Historically, flophouses, or British "doss-houses", have been used for ...
References
External links
Ambalamas in Sri Lanka (in Sinhala)
Architecture in Sri Lanka
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