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image source : ‘The Upcountry Repository of Buddhist Art – The Tampita Vihara of Sri Lanka’ By Ganga Rajinee Dissanayaka
Gurubebila Purana Viharaya is a Buddhist temple in Metihaththa off Kaikawela in Rattota with an ancient Tampita Viharaya built during the Kandyan Kingdom. The temple lies 3 km off Kaikawela junction on the Kumbaloluwa road.
To reach the temple from Matale, travel on the Rattota road for 8 km to reach Kaikawela junction. Take the left turn from Kaikawela and take the road towards Kumbaloluwa. There are two direction boards at the top of this road, one directing to Gurubebila Tampita Viharaya and the other to Kosgolla Ella waterfall.
A Tampita Viharaya is a special building constructed on a wooden platform supported by several stone stumps, typically around 3 to 4 feet tall. Its roof is supported by a timber frame, and the walls are often made of wattle and daub, a mixture of woven branches and clay. Inside, the chamber walls are usually adorned with paintings, often in the Kandyan style, depicting religious themes and stories.
The Tampita Viharaya at the Gurubebila Purana Viharaya is built on short granite stumps as the centre part of a larger building. A narrow circumambulating path with no protective rail surrounds the image house. The roof covers both the Tampita Viharaya and the outer hall. A simple door frame to the image house of the Tampita Viharaya is built in the form of Chandrawanka and is flanked by two guardian deities. Two equal-sized Buddha statues in the samadhi posture lie at the centre of the image house. A Samadhi Buddha is painted at the centre of the wall with a radiating halo. At the top of the halo is a painting of Sri Maha Bodhi. Six deities are painted on the wall beside the Bodhi tree. Images of Sariputta and Moggallana (Sariyuth and Mugalan) is painted below the deities.
You can see a painting of the deity Vishnu and another next to it on The right side wall. Arhaths carrying flowers are painted on the opposite wall. The rest of the walls are covered in murals including Suwisi Vivaranaya. A Samadhi Buddha has been painted at the centre of the roof with a detailed Dragon Arch.
Also See
- Tampita Vihara of Sri Lanka Index
- Ancient Heritage Sites of Sri Lanka
- Other Places of Interest Within Close Proximity
Map of the Gurubebila Purana Tampita Viharaya
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Driving Directions to Gurubebila Purana Tampita Viharaya
| Route from Matale to Gurubebila Purana Tampita Viharaya |
| Though : Kaikawela distance : 9 km Travel time :20 mins Time to spend : 20 – 30 mins Driving directions : see on google map |
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