Kundasale Sri Narendrasinghe Rajamaha Viharaya

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The ancient image house of Sri Narendrasinghe Rajamaha Viharaya

Located near Teldeniya, Sri Narendrasinghe Rajamaha Viharaya was built by King Kirti Sri Rajasinghe (1747–1781). The temple preserves a Kandyan-style Awasa, a copper-plate grant, a gold-plated sandalwood Buddha statue, and royal artifacts, including King Narendrasinghe’s jacket.

Kundasale is situated along the Kandy–Teldeniya Road, approximately 9.7 kilometers (6 miles) from Kandy, near the Warapitiya Junction. The temple site is approximately 1 kilometer (0.6 miles) from the junction, which itself lies about 2 kilometers (1.2 miles) from Teldeniya.

Sri Narendrasinghe Rajamaha Viharaya

The Sri Narendrasinghe Rajamaha Viharaya was constructed by King Kirti Sri Rajasinghe (1747–1781). Today, only the image house (Pilimage) and the Viharaya remain of this historic temple complex. The monks’ residential quarters within the temple grounds feature a decorative dragon arch.

The Awasa, or monks’ residence, was designed according to traditional Kandyan architectural principles. It features a verandah fitted with glazed doors and windows, a meda midula, or central courtyard, and a wooden staircase leading to the upper floor. Behind the principal rooms, several stone pillars remain, providing evidence of the original structure. The upper floor now houses a collection of royal memorabilia dating from the reign of King Kirti Sri Rajasinghe.

Copper Plate Grant

A copper-plate grant issued by King Kirti Sri Rajasinghe in 1754 is preserved by the temple trustee. According to the document, after visiting the royal garden at Kundasale, the king decided to construct a pratimagrha, or image house, measuring approximately 5 meters (11 cubits) in length and 2.3 meters (5 cubits) in width, with a mandapa, or hall, in front.

The king also donated a Buddha image carved from red sandalwood and gilded with gold, together with a white sandalwood relic casket and other ritual objects. The Viharaya was completed in 1754 and dedicated to Rambukwelle Anunayake Thero and his successors. Land grants were also provided for the continued maintenance of the temple.

According to historical accounts, the massive carved timber pillars of the image house were salvaged from the palace of King Sri Vira Parakrama Narendrasinghe, which was destroyed by fire and stood close to the temple grounds.

Royal Artefacts and Museum Collection

The temple continues to preserve a gold-plated sandalwood Buddha statue, together with priceless artifacts presented by Kings Kirti Sri Rajasinghe and Narendrasinghe. These objects are displayed in the museum on the upper floor and include a Handungala, or grinding stone, a Pallekkiya, or miniature palanquin, and an intricately carved wooden bed.

Among the most valuable objects preserved at the temple is a jacket said to have been worn by King Narendrasinghe.

The temple also houses numerous other historic objects, including textiles, flags, curtains, swords, and daggers.

References

Abeyawardhana, H. A. P. (2004). Heritage of Kandurata: Major natural, cultural, and historic sites. Kandurata Development Bank, in association with the Central Bank of Sri Lanka.
Wajiragnana Thero, G. (1961). විහාර වගවිත්ති. M. D. Gunasena & Co Ltd.

Also See

Kandy – The Last Kingdom of Sinhale

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Driving Directions to Kundasale Sri Narendrasinghe Rajamaha Viharaya

Route from Colombo to Kundasale Sri Narendrasinghe Rajamaha Viharaya	Route from Kandy to Kundasale Sri Narendrasinghe Rajamaha Viharaya
Though : Kandy Road – Pilimatalawa Distance : 108 km Travel time : 3.5 hours Driving directions : see on google map	Though : Peradeniya Distance : 11 km Travel time : 30 minutes Driving directions : see on google map