Dapane Sri Jayasumanaramaya Purana Tampita Viharaya (දාපනේ ටැම්පිට විහාරය)

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The outer viharaya where the Tampita Viharaya is hidden within inside Dapane Sri Jayasumanaramaya Purana Tampita Viharaya
photo by : Jayantha Nanayakkara

Dapane Sri Jayasumanārāmaya is a Kandyan-era sanctuary featuring a protected Tampita Vihāraya elevated on pillars. Enclosed within a modern hall, the shrine displays intricate door carvings of wrestlers and a Pañca Nārī Gāṭaya. Inside, a seated Buddha and a statue of deity Upulvan highlight its rich spiritual heritage.

Dapane Sri Jayasumanārāmaya Purāṇa Vihāraya is an ancient temple featuring a Tampita Vihāraya constructed during the Kandyan period. The temple is located approximately 8 kilometers (about 5 miles) from Urubokka and 9 kilometers (about 5.6 miles) from Kella Junction along the Suriyakanda–Embilipitiya road.

Access to the Temple

To reach Watagedara Sri Sudarśanarāmaya Ancient Temple from Matara, travel via Urubokka and proceed along the Ginnaliya road for approximately 6.2 kilometers (about 3.9 miles). At a fork in the road, take the narrower الطريق to the right, where a concrete signboard indicates the direction to the temple. Continue for a further 1.4 kilometers (about 0.9 miles) to arrive at the site.

The Tampita Vihāraya

The Tampita Vihāraya of Dapane Sri Jayasumanārāmaya Purāṇa Vihāraya is now enclosed within a larger hall constructed in a later period. Upon entering this outer structure, a small wooden staircase leads up into the elevated shrine.

The entrance is flanked by two guardian deities holding swords. The door frame is decorated with painted creeper motifs, predominantly in red and yellow. At the base of the frame are depictions of two wrestlers, while the शीर्ष section features a Pañca Nārī Gāṭaya, both of which were common decorative elements during the Kandyan era.

Interior Features

At the centre of the image house is a seated Buddha statue, flanked by two standing Buddha figures positioned along the side walls. On one side wall stands a statue of the deity Upulvan (Viṣṇu), regarded as the guardian deity of Sri Lanka and a protector of Buddhism.

Conservation Status

This Tampita Vihāraya was officially declared a protected archaeological site on 6 July 2007.

Entrance to the image house at Dapane Sri Jayasumanaramaya Purana Tampita Viharaya

Pancha Nari Gataya drawing on the door of Dapane Sri Jayasumanaramaya Purana Tampita Viharaya

Partly destroyed wall paintings inside the Tampita Viharaya of Dapane Sri Jayasumanaramaya Purana Viharaya

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Map of the Dapane Sri Jayasumanaramaya Purana Tampita Viharaya

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Driving Directions to Dapane Sri Jayasumanaramaya Purana Tampita Viharaya

Route from Deniyaya to Dapane Sri Jayasumanaramaya Purana Tampita Viharaya

Through : Urubokka
distance : 25 km
Travel time :1 hour mins
Time to spend : 30 mins
Driving directions : see on google map

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