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Kumbalgama Sri Vishuddharamaya Purana Tampita Viharaya lies in the Kumbalgama Grama Niladhari Division in the Imbulpae Divisional Secretary’s Division, Ratnapura District, Sabaragamuwa Province. To reach the site, you need to take the Samanala Wewa road (towards Udawalawe) from Pambahinna junction in Belihuloya. Travel 5.3 km along this road to reach the diversion towards Kumbalgama. You can reach the temple by traveling 700 meters on the Kumbalgama road.
The temple lies adjoining a picturesque paddy field. The most important feature of the temple is the old Tampita Viharaya. A Tampita Viharaya is a structure built on a wooden platform which rests on number of stone stumps usually 3-4 feet tall. The roof is held by a structure built of timber and the walls are generally made of wattle and daub.
Unfortunately the base has been filled and the “Tam” or pillars of this structure has been covered during later renovations and now appears as a temple built on a normal foundation. A larger hall has been built surrounding the tampita viharaya making it invisible. Though through the features of the inner chambers views could be expressed under the assumption that it is a ‘Tampita Viharaya”, the uniqueness of the construction has been lost in the process.
This site has been protected as an archaeological monument in 2011 and described as; The Kumbalgama Sri Visuddhaaraama Ancient Tampita Viharaya and the surrounding moat in the Kumbalgama Grama Niladhari Division in the Imbulpae Divisional Secretary’s Division, Ratnapura District, Sabaragamuwa Province.
References
- Balasuriya, J (2011) “The Antiquities Ordinance (Chapter 188) ,” The Gazette of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka, 1723, p. 1091.
Also See
- Tampita Vihara of Sri Lanka Index
- Ancient Heritage Sites of Sri Lanka
- Other Places of Interest Within Close Proximity
Map of the Kumbalgama Sri Vishuddharamaya Purana Tampita Viharaya
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Driving Directions to Kumbalgama Sri Vishuddharamaya Purana Tampita Viharaya
Route from Balangoda to Kumbalgama Sri Vishuddharamaya Purana Tampita Viharaya |
| Though : Belihuloya – Samanala Wewa Road distance : 24 km Travel time :45 mins Time to spend : 20 – 30 mins Driving directions : see on google map |