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Photo Credits : Gayantha Jayasinghe
Step into the timeless charm of Ketapitiya Tampita Viharaya, a rare two-story shrine from the Kandyan era where art and architecture unite. Discover flame-haloed Buddhas, intricate carvings, and centuries-old murals within this elevated temple that gracefully bridges Sri Lanka’s spiritual devotion and craftsmanship.
The small town of Ketapitiya (Katapitiya) is located between Pilimathalawa and Rambukkana, about 6.5 kilometers (4 miles) from Pilimathalawa along the Danthure Road and 21 kilometers (13 miles) from Rambukkana. The temple stands prominently at the main junction of Ketapitiya in Menikdiwela.
Although the temple’s exact origins remain unknown, the presence of a distinctive two-story Tampita Viharaya suggests that it dates back at least to the Kandyan era. During the Kandyan kingdom, Tampita Viharas were a popular architectural form, featuring temples built upon raised platforms supported by an array of pillars, usually made of stone.
At Ketapitiya, however, the Tampita Viharaya is enclosed within a two-story brick and mortar structure. Instead of traditional stone pillars, the building employs brick arches for support. Massive wooden beams are laid across the structure, with wooden planks forming the upper floor. The interior displays exquisite paintings and statues characteristic of the Kandyan period.
A spacious circumambulatory path surrounds the inner chamber of the Tampita Viharaya. The front section measures 3.89 meters (12.8 feet) in length, while the two sides and the rear are 1.93 meters (6.3 feet) wide. The inner sanctum, or image house, is 5.38 meters (17.6 feet) long and 3.68 meters (12.1 feet) wide. Altogether, the entire structure measures 11.20 meters (36.7 feet) in length and 7.54 meters (24.7 feet) in width.
The ground floor of the building functions as a Bana Maduwa (preaching hall). The upper level is accessed through a grand wooden doorway carved in the Sooriyawanka style, adorned with intricate floral motifs. This doorway opens onto the circumambulatory path, where a row of larger-than-life standing Buddha statues lines the inner wall.
Within the inner chamber, the main seated Buddha statue faces the entrance. A radiant halo surrounds the figure, drawn in the traditional flame motif. The sun and moon are depicted at either end, while images of Sariputta and Moggallana Theros appear below them. To the right of the main statue is a smaller seated Buddha image with an ornate headdress, seemingly from the same period. The sidewalls are adorned with several more standing Buddha statues of impressive scale.
References
Also See
- Tampita Vihara of Sri Lanka Index
- Ancient Heritage Sites of Sri Lanka
- Other Places of Interest Within Close Proximity
Map of Ancient Ketapitiya Rajamaha Tampita Viharaya
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Travel Directions to Ancient Ketapitiya Rajamaha Tampita Viharaya
| From Pilimathalawa to Ancient Ketapitiya Rajamaha Tampita Viharaya |
| Though : Danture Distance : 4.6 km Travel time : 15 mins Time to Spend : about 30 minutes Driving directions : see on Google Map |
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