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Dethawa Sri Mahamuni Purana Viharaya is an ancient Buddhist temple with a Tampita Viharaya belonging to the Kandyan era. The temple lies about 14 km from Giriulla and 5 km from Narammala. To reach the temple from Giriulla, travel 10.5 km towards Narammala and turn to Dangolla Road. 1.7 km on this road up to Kajugas Handiya junction and turn left. The temple lies 1.6 km down this road. Panavitiya Ambalama lies only 500 meters away from this temple.
A Tampita Viharaya is a building constructed on a wooden platform supported by several stone pillars, usually 3-4 feet high. Its roof is supported by a timber structure, and the walls are typically made of wattle and daub. Inside, the chamber walls are often adorned with paintings, primarily in the Kandyan style.
The Tampa viharaya at Dethawa is comparatively large and is built on 9 stone pillars rising about 3 feet from the ground. Once you enter from the main door, you reach a narrow circumambulation path (pradakshina patha) and the door to the inner chamber.
The entrance to the inner chamber is built in the form of a Sooryawanka on a massive wooden door frame. “Narilatha Wela” (a flowering creeper rooting out of a female figure) is exquisitely used to decorate the door frame as well as the door.
Two statues of Naga guardian deities with three cobra heads stand beside the door carrying a pot of plenty (punkalasa) in their hand. The background of these two statues is filled with paintings of birds and fruits, a unique feature of this temple.
The inner chamber is dominated by a large Samadhi Buddha statue in the centre. The statue is complete with a ushnisha at the top. The wall behind the statue is painted with a colorful aura around the statue and two disciples (probably Sariyuth and Mugalan maha Theros) worshipping Buddha.
Two standing Buddha statues are painted on the two side walls and next to them are paintings of the deity Vishnu who is believed to be the protector of Buddhism in Sri Lanka on the left wall and probably the deity Saman on the right wall.
Also See
- Tampita Vihara of Sri Lanka Index
- Ancient Heritage Sites of Sri Lanka
- Other Places of Interest Within Close Proximity
Map of the Dethawa Sri Mahamuni Purana Tampita Viharaya
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Driving Directions to Dethawa Sri Mahamuni Purana Tampita Viharaya
| Route from Giriulla to Dethawa Sri Mahamuni Purana Tampita Viharaya |
| Though : Dambadeniya – Metiyagane distance : 14 km Travel time :20 mins Time to spend : 20-30 mins Driving directions : see on google map |
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