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Uyanegama Sri Nagabodhi Purana Tampita Viharaya is a historic temple tucked away in the remote village of Medagoda Watte, within the Ketawale Gedara Grama Sevaka Division of the Kuliyapitiya West Divisional Secretariat in Kurunegala District.
The temple can be reached either by traveling 10 km from the Pannala–Kuliyapitiya road or 5 km from the Kuliyapitiya–Narammala road. The most significant feature of this temple is its Tampita Viharaya.
A Tampita Viharaya is a unique style of architecture where the shrine is built on a wooden platform supported by several stone pillars, typically standing 3 to 4 feet tall. The roof is supported by a wooden framework, and the walls are usually made from wattle and daub. The interior walls are often adorned with murals, mostly painted in the Kandyan style.
The Tampita Viharaya at Uyanegama Sri Nagabodhi Purana Viharaya is relatively small and is built on 4 stone pillars. In front of it stands an impressive “Dig-ge” (drummers’ hall), supported by 10 brick pillars. The four front pillars are cylindrical in shape, while the six rear pillars are square at the base but turn cylindrical higher up. Each pillar features neatly crafted mouldings at the top.
Visitors access the Tampita Viharaya via a short wooden staircase with two steps. Although some of the murals inside the shrine have been damaged, many of the original Kandyan Sittara paintings are still visible. The main seated Buddha statue (samadhi statue) has been recently restored.
A horseshoe-shaped halo, designed with tiny flame motifs, is painted around the main Buddha image. Beside the statue, there are small murals depicting Sariputta and Moggallana Maha Theros paying homage to the Buddha. Above them, in the clouds, are numerous deities from various heavens also shown worshiping the Buddha. The left side of this mural wall had suffered damage over time but has been newly restored.
On either side of the main shrine are two large standing Buddha statues, each complete with a Siraspatha (a flame-like symbol above the head). Horseshoe-shaped halos are also painted around these statues. However, the statue on the left wall has been destroyed, leaving only its painted halo visible. Next to these statues, there are murals of deities Saman and Kataragama.
The Tampita Viharaya at Uyanegama Sri Nagabodhi Purana Viharaya was designated as a protected archaeological monument by the Department of Archaeology, under Gazette No. 1612, dated 24 July 2009.
References
- Abeywardana, M.Y. (2009) “The Antiquities Ordinance (Chapter 188) ,” The Gazette of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka, 1612, p. 1024.
Also See
- Tampita Vihara of Sri Lanka Index
- Ancient Heritage Sites of Sri Lanka
- Other Places of Interest Within Close Proximity
Map of the Uyanegama Sri Nagabodhi Rajamaha Viharaya
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Driving Directions to Uyanegama Sri Nagabodhi Rajamaha Viharaya
| Route from Kuliyapitiya to Uyanegama Sri Nagabodhi Rajamaha Viharaya |
| Though : Kuliyapitiya – Narammala road distance : 10 km Travel time :20 mins Time to spend : 20-30 mins Driving directions : see on Google Maps |
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