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Photo source : Wings of Time
Menikkadawara is a sleepish small town which can be reached through Nelumdeniya on the Kandy Road. Take the Dedigama road from Nelumdeniya junction and travel 5.7 km till you reach the Menikkadawara road. Take this road and travel 1.2 km to reach the Menikkadawara Rajamaha Viharaya.
The origin of the Menikkadawara Rajamaha Viharaya is not known, but the current temple was built during the Kandyen Era. The temple had been probably built after the re-capturing of Menikkadawara by the Sinhalese forces by running down the Portuguese fort of Menikkadawara.
The Tampita Viharaya of the Menikkadawara Rajamaha Viharaya lies on 14 granite stumps. Tampita Vihara was a popular architectural feature of temples during the Kandyan era. The temple is built on top of granite stumps with a wooden platform laid across the stumps.
This vihara-ge was originally built with an open verandah all around, which was covered by a brick wall at a later period. The image house is illustrated with frescoes of the Buddha and of the Cula Dhammapala Jataka. These probably date from the 18th or 19th centuries. Some of the murals in the image house show strong European influences. For example, the king having a meal using a fork and spoon, paintings of chandeliers, glass bottles and tumblers have been freely used in murals.
Ruins of the Portuguese fort of Menikkadawara can also be seen very close to the temple.
Also See
- Tampita Vihara of Sri Lanka Index
- Ancient Heritage Sites of Sri Lanka
- Other Places of Interest Within Close Proximity
Map of Menikkadawara Tampita Rajamaha Viharaya
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Traveling to Menikkadawara Tampita Rajamaha Viharaya
| Route from Delundeniya to Menikkadawara Tampita Rajamaha Viharaya |
| Distance : 7 km Travel time : 20 mins Driving directions : see on google map |
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