Maradankadawala Pahala Ambatale Indragupta Tampita Viharaya (පහළ අඹතලේ ඉන්‍ද්‍රගුප්ත ටැම්පිට විහාරය)

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Hidden in Pahala Ambatale, the Indragupta Tampita Viharaya features a Kandyan image house resting on sixteen stone and twelve brick pillars. Topped with Sinhala ulu tiles, it houses Buddha statues, murals, and historic 10th-century inscribed pillar fragments.

Hidden approximately 6 kilometres (3.7 miles) from Maradankadawala, in the remote village of Pahala Ambatale (Lower Ambatale), stands the Indragupta Pirivena and Viharaya and its historic Tampita Viharaya.

A Tampita Viharaya, meaning a Temple on Pillars, is a distinctive type of shrine constructed on a wooden platform supported by a number of stone pillars, typically measuring approximately 1–1.2 metres (3–4 feet) in height. This architectural form was refined during the 17th to 19th centuries of the Kandyan period. The roof is supported by a timber framework, while the walls are generally constructed using wattle and daub. The interior walls are commonly decorated with frescoes executed in the traditional Kandyan style.

Architecture

The Pahala Ambatale Indragupta Tampita Viharaya is constructed on a platform supported by sixteen stone pillars and twelve brick-and-mortar pillars. Its steeply pitched roof, clad in calicut clay tiles known as Rata Ulu, rests on the brick pillars and the inner walls of the Tampita Viharaya. It is possible that these additional brick and mortar pillars were constructed around the ancient Temple on Pillars to reduce the weight exerted by the roof on the older structure and to provide greater protection from the elements.

The image house is decorated with various frescoes, while a seated Buddha statue stands at the far end. Statues of the two chief disciples, Sariputta and Moggallana, are positioned beside the Buddha. Statues of the deities Vishnu and Saman are located nearby.

History

The temple was first recorded by H. C. P. Bell in 1893, when he provided a brief description of the site. He described it as a small Kandyan-style temple served by a priest belonging to the Ramanna Nikaya. He also noted that one of the pillars supporting the Tampita Viharaya bore an inscription dating to the 10th century and stated that it had been placed there by King Siri Sanga Bo.

The next recorded description was provided by Charles Godakumbura in his 1963 report. He noted that a fragment of a pillar bearing an inscription on one side lay in front of the temple. He also observed that one of the pillars supporting the Tampita Viharaya carried an incised crescent moon. In addition, he mentioned a Buddha statue carved from whitish granite, which is located on the terrace surrounding the temple’s ancient Bodhi tree.

Also See

• Tampita Vihara of Sri Lanka Index
• Ancient Heritage Sites of Sri Lanka
• Other Places of Interest Within Close Proximity

References

1. Bell, H. C. P. (1904). Archaeological Survey of Ceylon: North Central and Sabaragamuwa Provinces – Annual Report 1893. George J. A. Skeen, Government Printer, Ceylon.
2. Godakumbura, C. E. (1964). Administration Report of the Archaeological Commissioner for the Financial Year 1962-63: Part IV – Education, Science and Art (G). Government of Ceylon.

Map of Maradankadawala Pahala Ambatale Indragupta Tampita Viharaya

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