Galmaduwa Viharaya
If you take a short detour from Kundasala Road outside of Kandy, you will stumble upon an unusual sight: the incomplete Galmaduwa Viharaya. The structure is believed to have been commissioned by King Keerthi Sri Rajasinghe, but he abandoned the construction after learning about a cave discovered in Degaldoruwa. As a result, the temple remained unused.
The Galmaduwa Viharaya is an impressive building with peculiar architecture. Despite its local name indicating it is a stone and brick pavilion, its high gopuram gives it a Hindu identity. There is a blend of Tamil-Hindu influences within this Buddhist temple.
The Galmaduwa Viharaya is likely the most Hindu-looking Buddhist temple in existence. The central building is surrounded by a massive wall with a deeply moulded cornice. The outer wall has five windows on three sides and a doorway on the fourth, which is slightly larger. The distance between the central building and the outer wall is 14 feet, while the former is 29 feet and th...
The Galmaduwa Viharaya is an impressive building with peculiar architecture. Despite its local name indicating it is a stone and brick pavilion, its high gopuram gives it a Hindu identity. There is a blend of Tamil-Hindu influences within this Buddhist temple.
The Galmaduwa Viharaya is likely the most Hindu-looking Buddhist temple in existence. The central building is surrounded by a massive wall with a deeply moulded cornice. The outer wall has five windows on three sides and a doorway on the fourth, which is slightly larger. The distance between the central building and the outer wall is 14 feet, while the former is 29 feet and th...
