Mahakumbukgollewa is an ancient village between Medawachchiya and Vavuniya in the Anuradhapura district. The village temple, Sri Dalada Viharaya at Mahakumbukgollewa hides a ancient Tampita Viharaya from the Kandyan Era.
Tampita Viharaya (Temple on Pillars) 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 and the inner walls are generally covered with frescoes drawn mainly in Kandyan style.
This Tampita Viharaya was declared as a protected archaeological monument through the gazette published on 30th December 2011 and describes the site 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.”
To reach the temple from Medawachchiya, travel 11km towards Vavuniya to reach the Mahakumbukgollewa Junction and take the by lane to the right. The temple lies 1 km down this road.
Traveling 200 meters pass this temple and taking the gravel road to the right will bring you to the ancient picturesque Mahakumbukgollewa Reservoir.
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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Traveling 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 |