Nawinna Purana Tampita Viharaya is an ancient Buddhist temple with a Tampita Viharaya belonging to the Kandyan era. The temple lies about 4.5 km off Wariyapola and 24 km from Kuruanegala. To reach the temple from Kuruanegala, travel upto Wariyapola and take the Chilaw road for 1.3 km. Take the Nawinna road which lies in-front of Sri Sumangala National School and travel for 3 km to reach the temple.
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. Walls inside the chamber is more or less always covered in paintings drawn mainly in Kandyan style.
The Tampita Viharaya at Nawinna Purana Tampita Viharaya was gazetted as a protected archaeological monument and is described as follows ;
“The Tampita vihare, Bhikku dwellings and ancient parapets of Nawinna ancient vihare in the Grama Niladhari Division No. 135-Malwana, in Wariyapola Divisional Secretary’s Division in Kurunegala District, North-Western Province.”
References
- Abeywardana, M.Y. (2008) “The Antiquities Ordinance (Chapter 188) ,” The Gazette of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka, 1553, p. 531.
Also See
- Tampita Vihara of Sri Lanka Index
- Ancient Heritage Sites of Sri Lanka
- Other Places of Interest Within Close Proximity
Map of the Nawinna Purana 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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Driving Directions to Nawinna Purana Tampita Viharaya
Route from Kurunegala to Nawinna Purana Tampita Viharaya |
Though : Kurunegala – Kandy road distance : 8.5 km Travel time :20 mins Time to spend : 20-30 mins Driving directions : see on google map |