Gadaladeniya Rajamaha Viharaya
Located on a flat rock in the district of Kandy, the Gadaladeniya Rajamaha Viharaya is an ancient monastery that dates back to the year 1344. It was built by King Buwanekabahu IV, with the chief architect being a South Indian named Ganesvarachari, giving the temple a distinctly South Indian design.
The main shrine room of the temple contains a seated Buddha statue in Vajrasana, accompanied by four standing Buddha images. Above the statue is a Makara Thorana adorned with decorations on both faces, including gods such as Brahma, Suyama, Santhusuta, Natha, and Maithree, as well as two attendants.
Inside the dome-shaped Sikhara chamber, there was once a Buddha image, but it was destroyed by the Portuguese. Next to the shrine room is a Devale dedicated to the god Visnu, who Mahavansa identifies as "Upulvan Deiyo," the guardian deity tasked with protecting Sri Lanka and Buddhism after the Buddha's passing.
Adjacent to the Visnu Devale is a Stupa built on a rock, believed to have bee...
The main shrine room of the temple contains a seated Buddha statue in Vajrasana, accompanied by four standing Buddha images. Above the statue is a Makara Thorana adorned with decorations on both faces, including gods such as Brahma, Suyama, Santhusuta, Natha, and Maithree, as well as two attendants.
Inside the dome-shaped Sikhara chamber, there was once a Buddha image, but it was destroyed by the Portuguese. Next to the shrine room is a Devale dedicated to the god Visnu, who Mahavansa identifies as "Upulvan Deiyo," the guardian deity tasked with protecting Sri Lanka and Buddhism after the Buddha's passing.
Adjacent to the Visnu Devale is a Stupa built on a rock, believed to have bee...
