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Description
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- In Dedigama, two similar lamps of same design were found buried in the relic chamber
of the Sutighara Cetiya.
- The lamps belong to the twelfth century A.D. The elephant lamp was an ingenious
creation of an unknown craftsman.The lamps were hanging type and has a unique design.
- The excavations conducted by the Department of Archaeology at the Sutighara Cetiya
revealed that the upper chamber contained, at the centre, a pedestal built of brick
in the shape of the model of the cetiya as the architects had conceived it - a stupa
in the lotus shape (padmakara). On this pedestal was a reliquary of thin sheet gold
4.5 inches (11 cm) in height and studded with precious stones.
- There were niches in the four walls of the chamber, and in each of these was a statuette
of the Buddha of about 4 inches (10 cm) high encased in gold sheets under makara
torana arches ornamented with gems.At the four corners of the chamber were four
lamps - two of which were the elephant lamps while the other two resembled a lotus
bud design.
- All of these lamps had soot and pieces of burnt wick in the oil containers.
- It was proof that these were placed lit when the chamber was closed.
- Many more valuable and interesting treasure were discovered at this site. All these
are displayed in the museum
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