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Photo by : Duminda Krishantha
Lewangama Sadanandarama Purana Tampita Viharaya lies hidden away on the side of a large paddy field between Karawanella and Warakapola in the Kegalle District. To reach this temple you need to travel 15.5 km from Warakapola towards Ruwanwella or 7 km from Anguruwella Junction in Ruwanwella towards Warakapola. An insignificant narrow concrete by-lane through a paddy field will take you to this ancient temple.
The temple was built by Eheliyagoda Disawe during the Kandyan kingdom about 300 years ago. One of the unique features a visitor could observe at this temple is the Tampita Viharaya. Tampita Vihara was a popular architectural feature of temples during the Kandyan era. Such temples (image houses) are built on top of granite stumps with wooden platforms laid across the stumps.
The Tampita Viharaya at Lewangama is fairly large compared to other such structures since this is placed at the center of Bana Madua making it part of this structure. The complete structure is 140 feet (42.672 meters) long and 85 feet (25.908 meters) wide.
At the main entrance to the Tampita Viharaya lies two statues of larger than life guardian deities with cobra hoods carrying a pot of plenty. The other statues of guardian deities in the temple have been crafted with clubs in their hands.
According to the report on the Kegalle district of the province of Sabaragamuwa, by then Archaeological Commissioner, HCP Bell published in 1904, he visited this temple in 1880’s. Based on his report, the outer wall of the temple has been painted with various designs and Jathaka Stories such as Daham Sonda, Maha Kannaka, and Dharmapala Jathakaya. He also reports the paintings of Wrestlers, Hansa Puuttu, creeper designs, Narilatha and Naga Trees on the wall. Unfortunately, most of these designs have been painted over during later renovations. However, some of these paintings have been restored to some extent by the Department of Archaeology. There are several paintings on this temple showing British influence. Paintings with British soldiers are the most significant.
The inner chamber of the image house is dominated by a Buddha statue in the samadhi position. This is 40 feet (12.192 meters) high and 32 feet (10.3632 meters) wide. Two standing Buddha statues lie beside the main statue. The robes of all three statues have been painted with yellow colour.
Inner walls depict jathaka stories such as Wessanthara and Maha Kanthaka. A statue of Eheliyagoda Disawe can be seen on the left wall of the image house. Next to it is a statue of Vishnu and on the opposite wall is a statue of the deity Saman.
Dayada – July 2016 edition- by Department of Archaeology
Alternate names : Levangama Tampita Viharaya, Levangama Sadanandarama Rajamaha Viharaya, Lewangama Sadanandarama Rajamaha Viharaya
Also See
- Tampita Vihara of Sri Lanka Index
- Ancient Heritage Sites of Sri Lanka
- Other Places of Interest Within Close Proximity
Map of Lewangama Purana Tampita Viharaya
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Traveling to Lewangama Purana Tampita Viharaya
| Route from Awissawella to Lewangama Purana Tampita Viharaya |
| Distance : 26 km Travel time : 45 mins Driving directions : see on google map |
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