Gadaladeniya Vihara, Buddhist temple in Pilimathalawa, Sri Lanka.
Gadaladeniya Vihara is a Buddhist temple built on a massive granite platform with two brick towers shaped like dagobas. The complex includes a shrine room accessed through a carved dragon arch and other structures designed for different religious functions.
The temple was commissioned by King Bhuvanaikabahu IV in 1334 and built by South Indian architect Ganesvarachari. The construction reflects a blend of dravidian and Sinhalese design principles from that period.
The main shrine holds a Buddha statue in meditation pose, serving as the spiritual center of the site. The complex continues to host traditional ceremonies and gatherings where visitors can observe daily religious practices.
The site sits along the B116 road near Kandy and is easy to reach for most visitors. Keep in mind this is an active place of worship, so wearing respectful clothing and observing proper conduct is important.
The temple combines granite construction with octagonal brick towers that transform into dagoba shapes - an architectural fusion rarely seen elsewhere on the island. This unusual blend makes it a rare example of cultural exchange reflected in medieval architecture.
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