Udasgiriya Bomaluwa Purana Viharaya is a Buddhist temple in Yatawatta, Matale with an ancient Tampita Viharaya built during the Kandyan Kingdom. The temple lies off 12 km off Matale town.
To reach Udasgiriya from Matale, travel on Dambulla road and passing the ancient Alu Viharaya take the first turn (Atipola Road) to the left. Travel 4.5 km on this road, passing Atipola – Walawela for 6.5 km. 500 meters passing Walawela, take the road towards Ambanpola road at the sign board for Unaweruwa Traditional Sesath Village. Travel 2 km on this road to fall in to the Ambanpola road. Turn right and travel about 200 meters to reach the Udasgiriya 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.
The Tampita Viharaya at the Udasgiriya Bomaluwa Purana Viharaya is comparatively small and is built on 9 short granite stumps. There is no room for a circumambulating path. A granite stairway leads to a massive door door frame to the image house of the Tampita Viharaya. The outer wall is covered with fading murals including scenes from the hell on one wall.
Inside the image house lies a single seated Buddha statues and the far end. The statue is painted in gold and red. The inner walls and the roof too are covered in murals. The Tampita Viharaya is believed to be built by a regional ruler called Hitibandara during the reign of king Kirthi Sri Rajasinhe (1747 – 1781).’
The Tampita Viharaya (Viharaya built on stone piles) at Udasgiriya Bodhi Malu Viharaya situated in the No. 336, Udasgiriya Grama Niladhari Division in the Yatawatta Divisional Secretary’s Division, Matale District, Central Province was declared as protected archaeological monument by the gazette issued on 29-07-24.
References
- Abeywardana, M.Y. (2009) “The Antiquities Ordinance (Chapter 188) ,” The Gazette of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka, 1612, p. 1022.
Also See
- Tampita Vihara of Sri Lanka Index
- Ancient Heritage Sites of Sri Lanka
- Other Places of Interest Within Close Proximity
Map of the Udasgiriya Bomaluwa Purana Tampita Viharaya
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Driving Directions to Udasgiriya Bomaluwa Purana Tampita Viharaya
Route from Matale to Udasgiriya Bomaluwa Purana Tampita Viharaya |
Though : Aluvihare – Atipola distance : 9 km Travel time :25 mins Time to spend : 20 – 30 mins Driving directions : see on google map |