Gadaladeniya Rajamaha Viharaya

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The main stupa with 4 satellite stupa underneath a Kuludage structure. Underneath each satellite stupa is a small shrine room with a flower pedestals — The main stupa has 4 satellite stupa underneath a **Kuludage** structure. Underneath each satellite stupa is a small shrine room with flower pedestals

Gadaladeniya Rajamaha Viharaya, with its ancient monastery, is located on a flat rock at Diggala in the Kandy District. According to an inscription, the temple was built by King Buwanekabahu IV in 1344. Its chief architect was a South Indian named Ganesvarachari, which explains its strong influence from the Vijayanagar architectural style of India.

After construction, the temple was handed over to Dharmakirthi Thero, a prominent Buddhist scholar who had sought refuge in India during the persecution of monks under the same king. Consequently, the temple became known as Dharmakirthi Viharaya (Wajiragnana Thero, 1961, pp. 34–51).

Prosecution by Sitawaka Rajasinghe

Dharmakirthi Thero had four disciples, the youngest of whom was highly learned in the Sutta Pitaka. According to legend, during the reign of King Sitawaka Rajasinghe (1581–1592), the king approached this disciple seeking a way to atone for the sin of killing his father. When told that there was no such absolution in Buddhism, a Hindu priest claimed he could cleanse the sin. As a result, the king converted to Hinduism and began a campaign of destruction against Buddhist temples. It is said that Dharmakirthi Thero and his disciples fled once again to India (Wajiragnana Thero, 1961, pp. 34–51).

Transition and Restoration

With royal support, the Dharmakirthi Viharaya was converted into a Devale (Hindu shrine) and remained so for over 150 years. During the reign of King Kirti Sri Rajasinghe (1747–1781), it was restored to its original status as a Buddhist temple and placed under the custodianship of Weliwita Sangaraja Thero.

The Shrine Room

The main shrine room contains a seated Buddha image in Vajrasana posture beneath a finely crafted Makara Thorana. Four standing Buddha statues surround the central figure. The Makara Thorana is decorated on both sides with depictions of deities such as Brahma, Suyama, Santhusuta, Natha, and Maithree, along with two divine attendants.

A Buddha statue that once stood inside the Sikhara (dome) was destroyed during the Portuguese period.

Visnu Devale

Adjacent to the shrine room is a Devale dedicated to God Vishnu. As narrated in the Mahavamsa, Upulvan Deiyo—an aspect of Visnu—was appointed as the guardian of Sri Lanka and Buddhism at the time of the Buddha’s passing. Due to this role, Visnu is held in deep reverence by Sri Lankans.

The Vijayothpaya

Beside the Vishnu shrine stands a stupa built on rock, believed to have been constructed by King Parakramabahu V. This main stupa is protected by a roof supported by four pillars and is surrounded by four smaller stupas housed within shrine rooms. The structure is called the Vijayothpaya or Vijayantha Prasada, named after the mythical palace of the god Indra.

Names Through History

Although commonly referred to today as Gadaladeniya Viharaya, an inscription identifies it as Dharmakirthi Viharaya, in honor of the founding monk. The Nikaya Sangrahaya refers to it as Saddharmathilake, while the Saddharmalankaraya calls it Gadaladeniya Viharaya, after the village in which it is situated.

Gadaladeniya Rajamaha Viharaya - Dancers and musicians around the Image House

Gadaladeniya Rajamaha Viharaya - The main pillars of the Image House

Gadaladeniya Rajamaha Viharaya - Main Buddha Statue inside the Image House. This is said to be carved out of rock, plastered and painted gold

Gadaladeniya Rajamaha Viharaya - A relic chamber offered by a past President

Gadaladeniya Rajamaha Viharaya - Stone Carvings at Gadaladeniya

Gadaladeniya Rajamaha Viharaya - Other Buddha Images in the Image House

Gadaladeniya Rajamaha Viharaya - Gaja Singha (ගජ සිංහ) Balustrade on the image House. Gaja Singha is a mytical beast with the head of a elephant and a body of a lion

Gadaladeniya Rajamaha Viharaya - Carved elephants at the entrance to the main hall

Gadaladeniya Rajamaha Viharaya - A painting of a design of "Nari Latha Vrukshaya" on a door inside the Image House

Gadaladeniya Rajamaha Viharaya - A painting of the main Buddha Statue by an Local Artist

Gadaladeniya Rajamaha Viharaya - An local artists view of the main Image House

Gadaladeniya Rajamaha Viharaya - A painting of a design on a door inside the Image House

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. 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.
Wajiragnana Thero, G. (1961). විහාර වගවිත්ති. M. D. Gunasena & Co Ltd.

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Driving Directions to Gadaladeniya Rajamaha Viharaya

Route from Colombo to Gadaladeniya Rajamaha Viharaya	Route from Kandy to Gadaladeniya Rajamaha Viharaya
Though : Kandy Road – Pilimatalawa Distance : 108 km Travel time : 3.5 hours Driving directions : see on google map	Though : Peradeniya Distance : 11 km Travel time : 30 minutes Driving directions : see on google map