Selagama is a picturesque village hidden between remote hills in the Matale district. To reach this village from Matale, travel 7 km on the Dambulla road up to Palapathwela junction and take the Galewela Road. After 2.5 km from the Golahenwatta junction, take the Kurunegala road. Take the Nikagolla road from Kotuwa junction which lies 3 km down this road. From Nikagolla take the Rusigama road for 3 km to Reach Selagama.
A Tampita Viharaya is a special building constructed on a wooden platform supported by several stone stumps, typically around 3 to 4 feet tall. Its roof is supported by a timber frame, and the walls are often made of wattle and daub, a mixture of woven branches and clay. Inside, the chamber walls are usually adorned with paintings, often in the Kandyan style, depicting religious themes and stories.
Unfortunately, the Tampita Viharaya at the Bulathwatte Temple has been completely rebuilt. The image house is no longer on pillars but on a cemented platform built burying the pillars. The walls and the roof too have been completely rebuilt with cement and new roofing tiles. Three Buddha statues can be seen in the image house of the remodelled Tampita Viharaya.
The centre statue, in Samadhi posture, lies underneath an exquisite and rare form of a Dragon Arch. Generally, the dragons on the sides are moulded in a way that they are looking upwards or towards the Kimbisi Muhuna at the top. But you will find the two dragons on this arch, looking straight forward at you with a somewhat comical grin. A similar dragon arch is found at the Thalgaspitiya Deniyathanna Purana Tampita Viharaya.
Please note the marker points to an approximate area in Selagama. Its advised to get directions to the site from villagers.
Also See
- Tampita Vihara of Sri Lanka Index
- Ancient Heritage Sites of Sri Lanka
- Other Places of Interest Within Close Proximity
Map of the Selagama Bulathwatta 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 Selagama Bulathwatta Purana Tampita Viharaya
Route from Matale to Selagama Bulathwatta Purana Tampita Viharaya |
Though : Badagamuwa Forest distance : 19 km Travel time :40 mins Time to spend : 20 – 30 mins Driving directions : see on google map |
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