Girikanda
| Author:Laxman Burdak, IFS (R) |
Girikanda (गिरिकंड) is a mountain in Sri Lanka mentioned in Mahavansha located 15 miles south of Anuradhapura.
Origin
Variants
- Girikanda Parvata (गिरिकंड पर्वत) (लंका) (AS, p.288)
History
Girikanda mountain was occupied for some time by Pandukābhaya during his campaign against his uncle. It was in the neighbourhood of this mountain that Pandukābhaya met and married Suvannapāli (Mhv.x.28ff). The district around it was called Girikanda-desa, and this was later given by Pandukābhaya to his father-in-law, Girikandasiva (Mhv.x.82).
In Mahavansa
Mahavansa/Chapter 10 mentions the Consecration of king of Sri Lanka Pandukabhaya, foundation of Anuradhapura city and Abhaya-tank. ....When he was thus left victor in battle, Pandukabhaya went thence to the dwelling-place of his great-uncle Anuradha. The great-uncle handed over his palace to him and built himself a dwelling elsewhere; but he dwelt in his house. When he had inquired of a soothsayer who was versed in the knowledge of (fitting) sites, he founded the capital, even near that village. Since it had served as dwelling to two Anuradhas, it was called Anuradhapura, and also because it was founded under the constellation Anuradha. .....Because his mother and he himself had been befriended by him, he did not slay the king Abhaya, his eldest uncle, but handed over the government to him for the night-time: he became the `Nagaraguttika' (Guardian of the City). From that time onward there were nagaraguttikas in the capital. His father-in-law also, Girikandasiva, he did not slay but handed over to this uncle the district of Girikanda.
गिरिकंड पर्वत
विजयेन्द्र कुमार माथुर[1] ने लेख किया है ...गिरिकंड पर्वत (AS, p.288) की स्थिति श्रीलंका में कही गई है। इसका उल्लेख 'महावंश' 10,27-28 में हुआ है। यह पर्वत अनुराधापुर से 15 मील दक्षिण में 'कहगल' नामक एक पहाड़ी के पास स्थित था। कहगल प्राचीन कास पर्वत है।