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Dembawa Purana Viharaya is a Buddhist temple located in in Wahakotte area, between Galewela and Matale with an ancient Tampita Viharaya built during the Kandyan Kingdom. The temple lies 36 km off Matale town and 8 km off Galewela.
To reach Dembawa Ancient Temple from Galewela, take Palapathwela road towards Matale for 5 km and reach Medabedda. Take the Dembawa road from Medabedda for 2.5 km to reach the temple. To reach the temple from Matale, take the Galewela road from Palapathwela and travel 26km up to Medabedda passing Pallepola, Aluthgama, and Wahakotte.
A Tampita Viharaya is a special building constructed on a wooden platform supported by several stone stumps, typically around 3 to 4 feet tall. Its roof is supported by a timber frame, and the walls are often made of wattle and daub, a mixture of woven branches and clay. Inside, the chamber walls are usually adorned with paintings, often in the Kandyan style, depicting religious themes and stories.
As stated in the Matale Vihara Vamsa, the Chronicle of Temples of Matale, this temple was constructed in 1730 under the patronage of the Pilimathalawa and Nugapola families, guided by the Buddhist monk Varavala Thero (Chandrasekara & Silva, 2021, p. 75).
The Tampita Viharaya at the Dembawa Purana Viharaya is comparatively small and is built on 6 short granite stumps. There is no room for a circumambulating path. Two granite and 3 wooden steps lead to the entrance of the image house. The wooden door frame is built in the form of Suryawanka and is finely carved with creeper designs. At the bottom of the pillars of the frame, two Devatha figures can be seen. The door too is painted with flower and creeper designs. Statues of two Guardian deities can be seen beside the door. These figures along with the outer wall are painted in white.
A single, seated Buddha statue can be seen inside the image house. This statue is built around a finely crafted Makara Thorana (Dragon Arch) with six Devatha figures on each side. The inner walls and the roof are covered in murals from the Kandyan era.
References
- Chandrasekara, D. P., & Silva, K. D. (2021). The Ṭämpiṭavihāras of Sri Lanka: Elevated Image- Houses in Buddhist Architecture. Anthem Press.
Also See
- Tampita Vihara of Sri Lanka Index
- Ancient Heritage Sites of Sri Lanka
- Other Places of Interest Within Close Proximity
Map of the Dembawa Purana Tampita Viharaya
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Driving Directions to Dembawa Purana Tampita Viharaya
| Route from Galewela to Dembawa Purana Tampita Viharaya |
| Though : Medabedda distance : 5.5 km Travel time :20 mins Time to spend : 30 mins Driving directions : see on google map |
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