Kandy Natha Devalaya | AmazingLanka.com

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The Natha Devalaya is Kandy’s oldest surviving structure, a 14th-century gedige shrine dedicated to Natha, a form of Bodhisattva Avalokiteshvara. Standing opposite the Temple of the Tooth, it served as the sacred site for royal coronations and naming ceremonies, bridging Buddhist traditions with the political heart of the Kandyan Kingdom.

Natha Devalaya is one of the Hatara Devalaya (four main devalaya) in Kandy, the other three being the Vishnu, Kataragama, and Patini.

These four Devalayas have a long association with the Royal Palace (Maha Vasala) and the Temple of Tooth Relic (Sri Dalada Maligawa) and have been venerated by Buddhists and Hindus alike from their inception.

Another devalaya dedicated to Ganesha, the elephant-headed Hindu deity, now known as Pillaiyar Kovil, is located in Katukele.

Divine Hierarchy

During the Kandyan era, Natha held the highest rank among deities, followed in order by Vishnu, Kataragama, and Patini. Among the principal devalayas of the kingdom, this one is the oldest. It is also believed that Natha manifested in various forms across Sri Lanka in different regions and time periods. One such form is the Bodhisattva Avalokiteshvara, who is especially venerated in Mahayana Buddhism.

Architecture and Origins

The Natha Devale stands directly across from the Dalada Maligawa (Temple of the Tooth) and is considered the oldest surviving building from the Kandyan period. It was constructed in the 14th century by King Vikramabahu III (1357–1374) of the Gampola Kingdom.

The structure reflects Dravidian architectural features in a gedige style and has three stories, though the first and second floors do not have any specific use. Its dome-shaped roof resembles a stupa. (Seneviratna, 1983, pp. 91–92)

The Sanctum and the Tragedy of Deva Sanhinda

The shrine has three intricately decorated entrances that lead to the sanctum, where a bronze figure of Natha is placed as the centerpiece.

During the Kandyan era, the southern entrance was known as Deva Sanhinda. This spot is historically significant as the location where the young hero Madduma Bandara, son of Ehelapola Nilame and Ehelapola Kumarihami, was executed by royal order.

The king also forced Kumarihami to kill her infant son at the same place using a traditional grinding stone (vangediya). This stone was later left in Alakolamaditta, and the current St. Paul’s Church was later built at that site. (Abeyawardhana, 2004)

Sacred Relics and Grounds

There are two stupas within the premises, and recent archaeological work has uncovered a circular foundation, likely the remains of a Mandapa destroyed during invasions. One of the stupas, situated near the Devale, is believed to have once held the Buddha’s bowl relic but was looted by relic hunters in 1889.

The image house, which faces east, features an ancient stone engraved with the Buddha’s footprint, or siripathul gala.

The Bodhi tree within the Devale grounds is a sapling from the sacred Sri Maha Bodhi tree in Anuradhapura. The entrance to the area, or Vahalkada, is a roofed structure flanked by two guard stones and topped with a makara thorana (Dragon Arch).

The Enclosure and Inscriptions

Between 1860 and 1887, a parapet wall was added to enclose the Natha Devale and its associated buildings. On the western section of this wall, two inscriptions—one mentioning Jayawira Wedaun-tena—have been embedded. It is believed that the people of Hatara Korale built this wall at the request of King Sri Vīra Parakrama Narendrasinha (1707–1739).

Otunu Mandapaya: The Pavilion of Coronation

Near the stupa, towards the west, lies a circular foundation known as the Otunu Mandapaya. As the name suggests, this was the site where the naming, anointing, and coronation ceremonies of Kandyan Kings were held. A nearby stone, believed to have held the crown during these rituals, is referred to as the Otunugala (Abeyawardhana, 2004). This Devale also held an important role in the process of royal succession. Every newly appointed king would stand before the image of Natha and choose the name by which he would be known during his reign.

Gambara Devalaya: The Guardian Shrine

To the east of the Natha Devalaya lies a smaller shrine known as the Gambara Devalaya. The deity worshipped here, Gambara Deviyo—also known as Suniyam Deviyo or Huniyam Deviyo—is believed to embody both divine and demonic characteristics. Revered across Sri Lanka for several centuries, he is considered both a guardian of rural communities and a deity associated with sorcery.

The rituals and offerings performed at this shrine are similar to those at the Natha Devalaya. Some old wall paintings still remain inside, though the outer left wall bears signs of intentional damage. Scratched into the plaster are depictions of sailing ships, likely created using a sharp object. Professor Prematilaka suggests these ships are Portuguese, a theory supported by a stone inscription on the devalaya wall referencing a Portuguese invasion.

References

Seneviratna, A., 1983. Kandy: an Illustrated Survey of Ancient Monuments With Historical, Archaeological and Literary Descriptions Including Maps of the City and Its Suburbs. Colombo: Central Cultural Fund, Ministry of Cultural Affairs.
Abeyawardhana, H. A. P. (2004) Heritage of Kandurata: Major Natural, Cultural, and Historic Sites. Kandy: Kandurata Development Bank, in association with the Central Bank of Sri Lanka.
Obeysekere, G. (1984) The Cult of the Goddess Pattini. University of Chicago.
Fleisher, S. L. (1996). Rethinking Historical Change in Sri Lankan Ritual: Deities, Demons, Sorcery, and the Ritualization of Resistance in the Sinhala Traditions of Suniyam. Journal of Anthropological Research, 52(1), 29–59.

Also See

Ship graffiti at Natha Devale in Kandy
Kandy – The Last Kingdom of Sinhale

Map of the Kandy Natha Devalaya

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Traveling Directions to Natha Devalaya (Kandy)

Kandy can be reached from Colombo via the old Colombo-Kandy road (option 1), which is scenic but heavily congested, especially on Fridays and Sundays. However, the new Central Expressway (option 2) has opened up a new route, which is longer but less cumbersome.

Route 1 from Colombo to Kandy	Route 2 from Colombo to Kandy
Through: Walapane – Raja Mawatha Distance: 100 km Travel Time: 3.0 hours Driving Directions: see on Google Maps.	Through: Warakapola – Kegalle – Kadugannawa Distance: 121 km Travel Time: 4.15 hours Driving Directions: see on Google Maps.
Route From Nuwara Eliya to Kandy
Through : Walapane – Raja Mawatha Distance: 100 km Travel Time: 3.0 hours Driving Directions: see on Google Maps.

Route 1 from Colombo to Kandy	Route 2 from Colombo to Kandy
Though : kadawata – Warakapola – Ambepussa – Mawanella Distance :120 km Travel time : 3.45 hours Driving directions : see on google map	Though : Katunayake Expressway – Distance :150 km Travel time : 3.20 hours Driving directions : see on google map
Route From Nuwara Eliya to Kandy
Though : Walapane – Raja Mawatha Distance :100 km Travel time : 3.0 hours Driving directions : see on google map