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Image courtesy of Dr. Ashan Geeganage
Sri Wanasinhe Rajamaha Viharaya is an ancient Buddhist temple in Daniyagama Grama Sewaka Division in Galkiriyagama. The Department of Archaeology had declared the drip-ledged caves, old Stupa, and Tampita Vihara (on stone piles) buildings as protected monuments in 2011 (Balasuriya, 2011, p. 1093), although no preservation seems to have been done. No photo of the Tampita Viharaya could be located either.
As with many remote ancient temples, treasure looters have been a constant threat to the temple. The ancient cave temple is on two levels. The murals and the statues suggest that the temple was built or last renovated during the Kandyan era. One significant feature of this image house is that almost all the Buddha statues in this cave are in the Samadhi posture. The murals on the walls are fading with no proper care from the authorities.
A small ruined stupa can be seen behind the Awasa-Ge of the temple. As you climb up to the new Samadhi statue, you will also notice rock art-type drawings on the outer walls of the cave temple.
The temple can be reached by taking the Andiyagala road from Madatugama, which also leads to the Jathika Namal Uyana. Just as you pass the diversion to Namal Uyana, take the road to Galkiriyagama and travel 2 km to reach this temple.
References
- Gunetilleke, N. et al. (2016) Sigiriya & Beyond: To Dambulla, Habarana, Kekirawa, galewela. Colombo, Sri Lanka: Back of Beyond Sigiriya (Pvt.) Ltd.
- Balasuriya, J. (2011). Government Notifications -the Antiquities Ordinance (Chapter 188). The Gazette of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka, No. 1739 (Friday, December 30, 2011), 1A-5A.
Also See
- Tampita Vihara of Sri Lanka Index
- Ancient Heritage Sites of Sri Lanka
- Other Places of Interest Within Close Proximity
Map of Galkiriyagama Sri Wanasinhe Rajamaha Viharaya
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Travel Directions to Galkiriyagama Sri Wanasinhe Rajamaha Viharaya
| Route from Madatugama to Galkiriyagama Sri Wanasinhe Rajamaha Viharaya |
| Through : Time to Spend : 3o mins Distance :1o km Travel time : 20 min. Driving directions : see on google map |
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