Hindagahawewa Wedaungala Purana Tampita Viharaya – හිඳගහවැව වැඩඋන්ගල පුරාණ ටැම්පිට විහාරය

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Wedaungala Purana Viharaya  is an ancient temple with a Tampita Viharaya belonging to Kandyan era lying just 11 km away from Panduwansnuwara, the third capital of the ancient Sri Lanka. From Paduwasnwara, continue on the Wariyapola road for 7.5 km and take the left turn on to Madige Midiyala road. At the 4 way junction after 2.7 km on this road take the right turn towards ancient Hindagaha Wewa Reservoir. Take the right turn just as you pass the reservoir and travel along the water body for 500 meters to reach the temple.

A Tampita Viharaya is a structure built on a wooden platform which rests on number of stone stumps usually 3-4 feet tall. The roof is held by a structure built of timber and the walls are generally made of wattle and daub. Walls inside the chamber is more or less always covered in paintings drawn mainly in Kandyan style.

At the entrance of the Tampita Viharaya at the Wedaungala Purana Viharaya you will find a Dragon Arch over the door. A seated Buddha statue can be seen inside the image house. Another Dragon Arch is built around this Buddha statue. Unfortunately this structure has been subjected to non managed restorations losing most of its archaeological values. The entrance to the image house which is generally consist of a wooden or stone flight of steps is now replaced by concrete. The roof has been restored with new calicut tiles. The murals also have been painted over with artificial paint destroying its historical value.

South to the Tampita Viharaya you will also find a drip ledged cave and some steps caved on to a living rock close by. Also a moonstone cut from white quartz rock can be seen close to the living quarters of the bikkus. These indicate a much longer hidden history of the temple probably going back to the Anuradhapura era.

Primary Source : පෞරාණික ස්ථාන හා ස්මාරක – කුරුනෑගල දිස්ත්‍රික්කය
by Department of Archaeology

Also See

Map of the Hindagahawewa Wedaungala Purana Tampita Viharaya

Please click on the button below to load the Dynamic Google Map (ගූගල් සිතියම් පහලින්)
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The map above also shows other places of interest within a approximately 20 km radius of the current site. Click on any of the markers and the info box to take you to information of these sites

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Driving Directions to Hindagahawewa Wedaungala Purana Tampita Viharaya

Route from Panduwasnuwara to Hindagahawewa Wedaungala Purana Tampita Viharaya
Though : Madige Midiyala road
distance : 11.5   km
Travel time :20 mins
Time to spend : 20-30  mins
Driving directions : see on google map

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