Nilwakka Ambalama in Kegalle (කෑගල්ල නිල්වක්ක අම්බලම)

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The Nilwakka Ambalama is a rectangular brick-and-mortar wayside rest house built on a 0.6-meter raised platform. Its roof, covered with flat clay tiles, rests on seven brick and mortar pillars. A low wall surrounds the building to provide both shelter and ventilation. Recent restoration altered the roof’s original design and replaced its original wooden entrance pillars with cement.

In ancient times, people traveled from place to place on foot or by cart. Pilgrimages and trading journeys were measured in days rather than hours, making the availability of resting places an essential part of travel. To meet this need, ambalams, or wayside rest houses, were constructed at strategic locations along well-travelled routes.

These ambalams provided travelers with a safe place to rest overnight, prepare simple meals, and seek shelter from the elements. They were typically built beside frequently used roads, with locations carefully selected to ensure access to essential resources such as wells or streams, enabling travellers to obtain water for drinking and cooking.

Although many ambalams were modest in appearance, they played an indispensable role in supporting travelers. Their simple yet durable construction offered protection, comfort, and a welcome respite from the hardships of long journeys.

Access Route

From Kegalle Town, take the Nilwakka Road near the police station. Travel approximately 1.7 kilometers (1.1 miles) to reach Nagolla Junction, where the Nilwakka Ambalama is located. Continuing a further 750 meters (2,461 ft) along the same road will bring you to the ancient Nilwakka Sri Bodhirukkarama Purana Viharaya and its historic Tampita Viharaya.

Architectural Features

The Nilwakka Ambalama is a rectangular brick-and-mortar structure. The roof is supported by five brick pillars and two wooden pillars that originally formed the entrance to the building. A low wall surrounds the structure, leaving the upper half open to provide ventilation while offering shelter to travelers.

The roof is covered with flat clay tiles, and the entire structure stands on a raised rectangular platform approximately 0.6 meters (2 ft) high.

The Ambalama has undergone recent restoration. During this work, the original two wooden entrance pillars were replaced with brick and motar pillars, and the shape of the roof was altered from its original design.

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Map of Nilwakka Ambalama in Kegalle

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Travel Directions to Nilwakka Ambalama in Kegalle

Route from Kegalle Town to Nilwakka Ambalama in Kegalle

Through : Nilwakka Road
Distance: 1.7 km
Travel time : 5 minutes
Time to Spent : 10 mins
Driving directions: see in Google Maps.

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