Draft:Kushtarajagala

Kushtarajagala
කුෂ්ඨරාජගල
Location	Weligama, Southern Province, Sri Lanka
Type	Rock carving
Material	Granite
Height	12 feet
Completion date	7th to 9th century AD
Dedicated to	Bodhisattva or ancient king

Submission declined on 19 June 2024 by Bonadea (talk).

This submission is not adequately supported by reliable sources. Reliable sources are required so that information can be verified. If you need help with referencing, please see Referencing for beginners and Citing sources.

This submission appears to read more like an advertisement than an entry in an encyclopedia. Encyclopedia articles need to be written from a neutral point of view, and should refer to a range of independent, reliable, published sources, not just to materials produced by the creator of the subject being discussed. This is important so that the article can meet Wikipedia's verifiability policy and the notability of the subject can be established. If you still feel that this subject is worthy of inclusion in Wikipedia, please rewrite your submission to comply with these policies.

If you would like to continue working on the submission, click on the "Edit" tab at the top of the window.
If you have not resolved the issues listed above, your draft will be declined again and potentially deleted.
If you need extra help, please ask us a question at the AfC Help Desk or get live help from experienced editors.
Please do not remove reviewer comments or this notice until the submission is accepted.

Where to get help

If you need help editing or submitting your draft, please ask us a question at the AfC Help Desk or get live help from experienced editors. These venues are only for help with editing and the submission process, not to get reviews.
If you need feedback on your draft, or if the review is taking a lot of time, you can try asking for help on the talk page of a relevant WikiProject. Some WikiProjects are more active than others so a speedy reply is not guaranteed.

How to improve a draft

Wikipedia:Contributing to Wikipedia – a basic overview on how to edit Wikipedia.
Help:Wikitext – how to use the markup
Help:Referencing for beginners – how to include references
Wikipedia:Article development – how to develop your article
Wikipedia:Writing better articles – how to improve your article
Wikipedia:Verifiability – make sure your article includes reliable third-party sources

You can also browse Wikipedia:Featured articles and Wikipedia:Good articles to find examples of Wikipedia's best writing on topics similar to your proposed article.

Improving your odds of a speedy review

To improve your odds of a faster review, tag your draft with relevant WikiProject tags using the button below. This will let reviewers know a new draft has been submitted in their area of interest. For instance, if you wrote about a female astronomer, you would want to add the Biography, Astronomy, and Women scientists tags.

Add tags to your draft

Editor resources

Find sources: Google (books · news · scholar · free images · WP refs) · FENS · JSTOR · TWL
Easy tools: Citation bot (help) | Advanced: Fix bare URLs

Declined by Bonadea 7 days ago. Last edited by Thiwankalk 7 days ago. Reviewer: Inform author.

Resubmit

Please note that if the issues are not fixed, the draft will be declined again.

Kushtarajagala is an ancient rock sculpture located in Weligama, a coastal town in the Southern Province of Sri Lanka. This remarkable piece of art is a standing figure, believed to represent a Bodhisattva or an ancient king, potentially dating back to the 7th to 9th century AD. The name "Kushtarajagala" translates to "Rock of the Leper King," stemming from local legends which suggest that a king suffering from leprosy was cured by a nearby mineral spring.

Historical and Cultural Significance

Kushtarajagala is a significant example of early medieval Sri Lankan rock carvings, showcasing the intricate craftsmanship and artistic skills of that era. The sculpture is about 12 feet tall and is carved into a face of granite rock. The figure's detailed attire, ornate jewelry, and the serene expression highlight the influence of Mahayana Buddhism and South Indian sculptural traditions.

Description

The statue is adorned with a crown, and elaborate earrings, and holds a lotus in one hand, symbolizing purity and enlightenment. Despite the weathering of time, the sculpture remains a testament to the rich cultural heritage of the region.

Local Legends

According to legend, the sculpture was created in honor of a king who was cured of leprosy by the waters of a nearby spring. This legend contributes to the name "Kushtarajagala," where "Kushta" means leprosy and "Raja" means king.

Current Status

Kushtarajagala remains a popular historical site, attracting both local and international tourists. It is protected under Sri Lankan law as a site of archaeological importance. Efforts are continuously made to preserve the sculpture and its surroundings.

Accessibility

The site is easily accessible from Weligama town and is often included in cultural tours of the Southern Province. Visitors can observe the sculpture up close and explore the historical context provided by local guides and informational displays.

External Video Link

For more visual and contextual information, you can view a detailed video on Kushtarajagala [1].

References

Fernando, Kishanie S.. "Kushtarajagala: The Rock of the Leper King." *Sunday Observer*, (http://www.sundayobserver.lk).
Goonatilake, Hema. "Rock Carvings in Sri Lanka." *Journal of South Asian Studies*, (http://www.southasianstudies.org).
Ministry of Cultural Affairs, Sri Lanka. "Protected Monuments in the Southern Province." (http://www.cultural.gov.lk).
Video on Kushtarajagala: [2].

Category:Rock carvings in Sri Lanka Category:Archaeological sites in Sri Lanka Category:Buddhist art in Sri Lanka Category:Southern Province, Sri Lanka Category:Tourism in Sri Lanka Category:History of Sri Lanka Category:Buddhist sites in Sri Lanka Category:Sri Lankan culture