View source for Ambalama

{{distinguish|text=the hotel with same name}}
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[[File:පනාවිටිය අම්බලම (22).jpg|thumb|right|Ambalama from [[Panavitiya Ambalama|Panavitiya]] dating to 1700s or before]]
An '''ambalama''' ([[Sinhala language|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.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://exploresrilanka.lk/2011/04/ambalamaa-stopover-on-a-journey-3/|title=Ambalama: A Stopover On A Journey, Explore Sri Lanka|access-date=4 June 2014|archive-date=3 March 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303215552/http://exploresrilanka.lk/2011/04/ambalamaa-stopover-on-a-journey-3/|url-status=dead}}</ref> The last examples of anbalange remained until about the end of the 1970s. There were no charges involved in using an Ambalama.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://archives.sundayobserver.lk/2001/pix/PrintPage.asp?REF=/2011/12/18/jun03.asp|title=Ambalama, a symbol of our heritage (Sunday Observer)|access-date=16 May 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140606214652/http://www.sundayobserver.lk/2001/pix/PrintPage.asp?REF=%2F2011%2F12%2F18%2Fjun03.asp|archive-date=6 June 2014|url-status = live|df=dmy-all}}</ref>
==History==
According to [[Anuradha Seneviratna]] and [[Benjamin Polk]] pilgrimage rest-houses like Ambalamas were well established before 230 BC as [[Mauryan Empire|Mauryan]] kings issued orders carved on stones or iron columns for planting of avenues of trees and for building shelters for the comfort of pilgrims.<ref>Buddhist Monastic Architecture in Sri Lanka;
The Woodland Shrines By Anuradha Seneviratna, Benjamin Polk - 1992, page 123</ref> 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.<ref>Buddhist Monastic Architecture in Sri Lanka;
The Woodland Shrines By Anuradha Seneviratna, Benjamin Polk - 1992, page 123</ref> 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.<ref>Buddhist Monastic Architecture in Sri Lanka; The Woodland Shrines By Anuradha Seneviratna, Benjamin Polk - 1992, page 123</ref>
==In literature==
In Salalihini and Gira sandeshas, there are references to Ambalamas.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.island.lk/index.php?page_cat=article-details&page=article-details&code_title=101548|title=THE ‘AMBALAMA’ (The Island)}}</ref>
==Prominent Ambalamas==
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* [[Appallagoda Ambalama]]
* [[Giruwa Ambalama]]
* [[Kadugannawa Ambalama]]
* [[Panavitiya Ambalama]]
* [[Pita Kotte Gal Ambalama]]
* Karagahagedara Ambalama
* Padiwita Ambalama
* Marassana Ambalama
* Awariyawala Ambalama
* Godamunne Ambalama
* Kandewela Ambalama
* Hewawissa Ambalama
* Karalliyadda Ambalama
* Udunuwara Pitawala (Pallepitawala) Ambalama
* Patha Hewaheta Elikewala Ambalama
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==See also==
*[[Kalithattu (rest house)|Kalithattu]]
*[[Pati (rest house)|Pati]]
* [[Flophouse]]
==References==
{{Reflist}}
==External links==
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20140606222637/http://si.archaeology.lk/image_gallery.php?GalleryID=11 Ambalamas in Sri Lanka (in Sinhala)]
{{Sri Lankan Architecture}}
[[Category:Architecture in Sri Lanka]]
{{SriLanka-hist-stub}}