The Tampita viharaya at the Ganewatta Purana Bodhimalu Viharaya has been built in the 19th century. Tampita Viharaya (Temple on Pillars) is a structure built on a wooden platform which rests on number of stone stumps usually 2-4 feet tall. The roof is held by a structure built of timber and the walls are generally made of wattle and daub and the inner walls are generally covered with frescoes drawn mainly in Kandyan style.
This Tampita Viharaya has been built on 9 granite stumps with wooden steps at the entrance. The roof is tiled with with flat clay times, a common architectural feature of buildings of Kandyan Era. A small mandapa has been built in front of the building and connected at the roof.
This temple lies in Divulapitiya on the ancient route from Kandy to Negombo. The temple has been so named since this has been built and used by “Ganainnawanase”, people who spent semi-ordained lives during the Kandyan kingdom when the Buddhism of the country was destroyed to the extent that the country had no priest who could carry out an Upasampada.
This temple lies just before the Divulapitiya Junction and can be reached through Negombo – Divulapitiya or Minuwangoda – Divulapitiya road. To reach the temple, head towards.
Also See
- List of Ambalama’s in Sri Lanka
- Ancient Heritage Sites of Sri Lanka
- Other Places of Interest Within Close Proximity
Map of Ganewatta Purana Bodhimalu Tampita Viharaya
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Traveling directions to Ganewatta Purana Bodhimalu Tampita Viharaya
Travel directions from Colombo to Ganewatta Purana Bodhimalu Tampita Viharaya |
Distance : 54 km Travel time : 1.5 hour Time to spend : 20 mins Driving directions : see on google map |