THE KINGDOM OF  YAPAHUWA 

 💚yapahuwa was one of the ephemeral capitals of medieval sri lanka. the citadel of yapahuwa lying midway between kurunegala and anuradapura was built around a huge granite rock rising abruptly almost a hundred meters above the surrounding lowlands. in 1272, king Bhuvenakabahu transferred the capital from polonnaruwa to yapahuwa to yapahuwa in the face of dravidian invasions from south india, bringing the sacred tooth relic with him. following the death of king Bhuvenakabahu in 1284, the pandyans of south india invaded sri lanka once again, and succeeded in capturing sacred tooth relic. following its capture, yapahuwa was largely abandoned and inhabited by buddhist monks and religious ascetics.

LOCATION: The rock fortress complex of yapahuwa is situated in the north western province, sri lanka. it is located approximately between southeast of mahawa midway kurunegala and anuradapura.

HISTORY: yapahuwa served as the capital of sri lanka in the latter part of the 13th century. built on huge, 90 m (300ft) high rock boulder in the style of the Sigiriya rock fortress, yapahuwa was a place and military stronghold against foreign invaders.it features a long ornamental stairacse with around 100 steps. the top of the rock has the remains of a stupa, bodhi tree enclosure, and a caves at the base contain buddha images and a brahimi inscription. the southern base has fortifications with moats, ramparts, and buddhist buildings. there is also the yapahuwa rajamaha vihara, a buddhist temple from the kandyan period.