Bogoda Wooden Bridge, which is the oldest surviving wooden bridge in Sri Lanka, was constructed way back in the 16th century, over 400 years ago. Found in the Badulla district, it crosses the Gallanda Oya that links Badulla and Kandy via a popular ancient route.
The bridge has been made using wood as the sole material, so much so that even down to the nails, local timber has been used. Not even a single metal nail has been used in its construction.
Measuring 8 feet in height, 6 feet in width and spanning some 50 feet in length, the bridge has been built on top of a huge tree trunk. Jack and kumbuk logs have been used for its construction together with timber from the kaluwara and milla trees for the designs on its pillars, banisters, and roof borders. The roof of the bridge is covered with Sinhala ulu tiles. The bridge also served as an ambalama or point of rest, for weary travelers during the days of the Sinhala kings.
The Bogoda Bridge can be found within the premises of the Bogoda Rajamaha Viharaya. This temple has been constructed under the instruction of King Valagamba in the 1st century BC. The temple was a popular place of worship for those traveling by foot from Badulla to Kandy.
The walls of the temple have been constructed using a combination of cotton wool, bees honey and purified white clay. A reclining Lord Buddha statue is found inside the temple with a detailed makara thorana, which is a pandol featuring a dragon-like mythical creature that has the combined features of an elephant, a bear, a lion and a crocodile. The temple walls also contain murals that depict the artistic motifs of Buddhist traditions and culture. A place of worship for the Lord Vishnu predates the Buddhist temple and a blue coloured statue of Vishnu is still partially visible.
Beyond the bridge is the entrance to a tunnel believed to emerge in Badulla. Legend has it that this tunnel was used by King Valgamba when he was hiding from the Dravidian invaders in the caves behind the temple. The tunnel is said to measure some 10km and supposed to exit at Naranwala, which is now a tea estate.
