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The Kandyan-period Mahakumbukgollewa Sri Dalada Viharaya in Medawachchiya, Anuradhapura are located near the ancient Mahakumbukgollewa Wewa. Though its traditional, pillared Tampita Viharaya (Temple on Pillars) was gazetted as a protected monument in 2011, recent visitor reports indicate that this historic shrine has unfortunately disappeared from the site.
Mahakumbukgollewa is an ancient village situated between Medawachchiya and Vavuniya in the Anuradhapura District. The village temple, Sri Dalada Viharaya, is home to what was once an ancient Tampita Viharaya dating to the Kandyan period.
A Tampita Viharaya (Temple on Pillars) is a distinctive type of shrine constructed on a wooden platform supported by a number of stone pillars, typically about 0.9–1.2 meters (3–4 ft) in height. The roof is supported by a timber framework, while the walls are generally built using wattle and daub. The interior walls are commonly decorated with frescoes executed in the traditional Kandyan style.
The Tampita Viharaya at this temple was declared a protected archaeological monument by the Government of Sri Lanka through the Gazette published on 30 December 2011. The Gazette describes the protected monument as follows:
“The Tempita (on stone piles) building in the Mahakumbukgollewa Sri Dalada Vihara premises in the Mahakumbukgollewa Village, Medawachchiya Divisional Secretary’s Division, Anuradhapura District, North Central Province.”
Access Route
From Medawachchiya, travel approximately 11 kilometers (6.8 miles) towards Vavuniya to reach the Mahakumbukgollewa Junction. Turn right onto the by-road, and continue for about 1 kilometer (0.6 miles) to reach the temple.
If you continue approximately 200 meters (656 ft) beyond the temple and turn right onto the gravel road, you will arrive at the scenic ancient Mahakumbukgollewa Wewa (Reservoir).
Visitor’s Note
Recent visitors to the temple have reported that the historic Tampita Viharaya no longer exists. Although the structure was gazetted as a protected archaeological monument in 2011, it appears to have disappeared in recent years. Visitors are therefore advised that the shrine described in earlier publications may no longer be present at the site.
Also See
- Tampita Vihara of Sri Lanka Index
- Ancient Heritage Sites of Sri Lanka
- Other Places of Interest Within Close Proximity
Map of Mahakumbukgollewa Sri Dalada Tampita Viharaya
The map above also shows other places of interest within a approximately 20 km radius of the current site. Click on any of the markers and the info box to take you to information of these sites
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Travelling directions to Mahakumbukgollewa Sri Dalada Tampita Viharaya
| Travel directions from Anuradhapura to Mahakumbukgollewa Sri Dalada Tampita Viharaya |
| Distance : 54 km Travel time : 1 hour mins Time to spend : 20 mins Driving directions : see on Google map |