Maduwanwela Mudalinalage Tampita Aramaya

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– Architectural Marvel of the Maduwanwela Dissawa Era –

Maduwanwela Aramaya — The Tampita Viharaya built on a wooden platform sitting on 25 stone pillars

The indomitable spirit of Maduwanwela Dissawe extended across his vast Nindagams, and he is still remembered for his fierce independence and refusal to submit to the authority of the white rulers (the Government Agents) in his region. This remarkable figure, known as Jamis William Maduwanwela Dissawe, earned great respect from the people of his time.

Nestled amidst the breathtaking mountain frontier of the Kolonne Valley lies his medieval, castle-like Maduwanwela Walauwwa, which originally boasted 141 spacious rooms and 12 meda midulas (inner courtyards). Maduwanwela Dissawe, affectionately called the “Kalu Kumaraya” (Black Prince) by his people, earned this nickname following a heated confrontation with a German prince, during which he humiliated the latter and made him concede defeat.

The Maduwanwela Aramaya, also known as the Maduwanwela Tampita Viharaya or Maduwanwela Temple, traces its origins to the dynasty of the Maduwanwela family. Built in 1764, the temple lies just 2 km from the Maduwanwela Walauwwa, off the main road to Kolonne.

Named Maduwanwela Mudalinalage Aramaya, the temple reflects the traditions of the past Maduwanwela Dissawes, who took great care in developing and maintaining it. Lands were donated to the temple, and the tank overlooking the Tampita Viharaya was built by Maduwanwela Dissawe himself.

Built in the style of Kandyan architecture, the Tampita Viharaya is an image house (Pilimage) constructed on a platform supported by 21 dwarf stone pillars. The walls are made of wattle and daub, and the roof is thatched with Pethaliulu flat tiles. The term “Tampita” refers to structures built on elevated pillars, with the image house featuring statues of the Buddha and other deities. Its murals, adorned with blooming lotus petals, foliage, and Jataka tales, are a hallmark of Kandyan artistry. The ceilings are also richly decorated with intricate paintings of lotus flowers and other motifs.

The temple’s Iri reka or Iri chitra line drawings are particularly rare. Among these, the most striking figures are those of the demon Hoonium Yakka, depicted with a grotesque face and wide-open mouth, holding a pig in its jaws. One figure shows the demon with ten arms, gripping elephants by their trunks, humans by their hair, and various symbolic weapons. In some depictions, the demon is mounted on a pig or an elephant. Other artwork includes lions standing on their hind legs, holding creepers, and cobras coiled around necks and hands.

The paste for these remarkable paintings was made from soot collected from the cloth wicks of coconut oil lamps and residual burnt oil. A pointed charcoal piece with a handle was used to create the artwork. Access to the Tampita Viharaya is via a short flight of wooden steps.

The Avasa (residency) of the temple priests is another relic from the 16th century, serving as a dwelling for monks since its inception. It houses elegant furniture made of ebony and satinwood (Burutha) alongside antiques like globular glass hanging oil lamps. Among these is a beautifully carved armchair with oval arms, featuring a metal plate inscribed with its origin—manufactured by Don Carolis Furniture Dealers in 1860 A.D.

All these furniture items and other artifacts had been the property of Maduwanwela Waluwwa, later gifted by Maduwanwela Dissawe to this Mudilindarmaya during his lifetime.

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Travel Directions to Maduwanwela Mudalinalage Aramaya

Route from Colombo to Maduwanwela Aramaya	Route from Embilipitiya to Maduwanwela Aramaya
Through : Awissawella – Ratnapura – Madampe – Rakwana – Suriyakanda Distance : 165 km Travel time : 4 hours Driving directions : see on google map	Through : Panamure Distance : 32 km Travel time : 40 minutes Driving directions : see on google map