Galgane (Galge) at Devinuwara

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The Galge of Devinuwara - an unknown structure of a ancient kingdom. — The Galge of Devinuwara – an unknown structure of a ancient kingdom.

A fascinating structure can be found just off the southernmost milepost on a short detour, less than 500 meters inland from the Devinuwara Raja Maha Viharaya and the Upulvan Devalaya.

This isolated building, made entirely of granite blocks, is fittingly called “Galge” or “Galgane.” It is a rectangular structure measuring 26 feet 5 inches (8 meters) in length 16 feet (4.9 meters) in width, 12 feet (3.7 meters) in height, consisting of a garbha gruha (inner sanctum) and an antechamber. Both the exterior and interior walls are constructed from finely chiselled granite slabs, well joined together but dry-laid without regular bonding. The core of the walls is filled with rubble mixed with lime mortar. (Paranavitana, 1947, Wanarathna Thero, 1994).

According prof Paranavitana (1947) this small yet architecturally pure monument was first identified by E.R. Ayrton in 1914, and the site was declared an Archaeological Reserve in 1927 (Government Gazette No. 7,564 of January 21).

The report also highlights that Archaeological Commissioner A.M. Hocart intended to preserve the monument but was unable to do so. However, he managed to recover several stones belonging to the structure from recently constructed houses in the area.

By the 1940s, the structure had deteriorated, with several sections buttressed to prevent further collapse. Heavy rains in 1947 caused part of the monument to fall, prompting urgent conservation efforts. Due to the extensive damage, the only feasible method was to dismantle and reconstruct the entire building. This conservation work began in February 1947 and was completed in November of the same year. During the process, it was discovered that the monument had undergone an earlier reconstruction after its original construction. The shrine’s sanctum and antechamber are combined into one simple yet aesthetically pleasing architectural unit. (Paranavitana, 1947)

The monument is believed to date back to the 7th and 8th centuries, as proposed by Professor Paranavithana, who identified it as a shrine dedicated to the deity Upulvan. He noted that the structure follows the architectural style of ancient devalas, featuring key elements such as the garbha (inner chamber), the mandapa (pavilion), and the antharalaya (long hall). (Wanarathna Thero, 1994)

In earlier devala architecture, these shrines typically had a single chamber housing the deity’s statues. By the 7th and 8th centuries, this design had evolved into a more complex layout: the inner chamber (garbha), where the statues were placed; a room in front of it (mandapa), where puja (worship rituals) were performed; and a long corridor-like hall (antharalaya) connecting the two, designed to accommodate both ritual ceremonies and pilgrims. (Wanarathna Thero, 1994)

Additionally, the second argument that the belief in separating devalas, where women dance during puja rituals, from temple premises might explain why the original Upulvan Devalaya was constructed away from the ancient Devinuwara Temple. This would suggest that the location of this shrine was intentionally chosen to honour that tradition. (Wanarathna Thero, 1994)

The Handbook for the Ceylon Traveler mentions that both faces of the shrine’s walls are made of finely chiseled granite slabs, perfectly joined together. The shrine, slightly over 26 feet in length, has minimal ornamentation, limited to the doorway. The cult object, once housed in the garbha-graha (inner sanctum), had been removed long ago, leaving no trace of the original faith to which the shrine was dedicated.

Some scholars have compared the structure to Hindu shrines found in Polonnaruwa and suggest it may be the only one of its kind. Others speculate that it could be the first stone building ever constructed on the island.

Entrance steps to the the Galge of Devinuwara

Carvings on the granite wall at the entrance to the inner sanctum at Galge of Devinuwara.

Entrance to the inner sanctum at Galge of Devinuwara.

Crocodile carvings at the roof of the Galge of Devinuwara.

Fine line designs of on the outer wall of Galge of Devinuwara.

References

Paranavitana, S. (1947). Report of the Archaeological Survey of Ceylon for 1940-1945. Ceylon Government Press.
Wanarathna Thero, K. (1994). මාතර පුරා විද්‍යාත්මක ඉතිහාසය. Sri Rohana Sangha Sabha Center.

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Route from Colombo to Galgane	Route from Matara Railway Station to Galgane
Via : Southern Expressway distance : 190 km Travel time : 3 hours Driving directions : see on google map	distance : 8- km Travel time : 20 mins Driving directions : see on google map

References

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Map of Galgane (Galge) at Devinuwara

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