Description of the attraction
Renowned as one of the finest examples of Buddhist temple architecture, Gadaladenia Viharaya is definitely worthy of being among the top attractions you plan to see in Kandy.
The temple is located in Pilimatalawa, on the Kandy-Colombo road and is famous for its beautiful stone carvings.
Filled with the architectural style of South India, this temple was built during the reign of King Gampola Vikramabahu sometime around 1344. Usually, such ancient temples as Gadaladeniya Viharaya today no longer retain the charm of the past. Little has survived to this day. But in this temple you can still catch those stunning features of the Buddhist temple, which were conceived from the very beginning of its construction. For example, the wood-carved entrance doors still retain the remains of paintings that are an integral part of the architecture of the temples in Kandy. In addition, you should pay attention to the frescoes and images that give the temple its original appearance.
An important feature of the architecture of Buddhist temples is that they are carved from stones, and Gadaladeniya Viharaya is no exception. The temple has a shrine with a Buddha statue inside and four images of a standing Buddha. But what makes Gadaladeniya Viharaya really special is its location on the top of a hill, offering a truly stunning view of the surrounding area.
