Kadadora Vihara, Buddhist temple in Kotmale, Sri Lanka
Kadadora Vihara is a Buddhist temple near Kotmale whose ruins have been submerged since 1979. The sunken remains contain sculpted Buddha statues and deity figures that occasionally become visible when water levels drop.
The temple was built in 1897 and reconstructed in 1937 before the Kotmale Dam's construction flooded it in 1979. This event ended centuries of religious practice at this sacred location.
The temple served as a center for prayer and daily worship before its submersion beneath the reservoir. People gathered here for religious ceremonies that shaped the spiritual life of the surrounding communities.
The site is best accessed during the dry season when the reservoir water level drops and the ruins become visible. Plan your visit during months with less rainfall when conditions are favorable for viewing the submerged remains.
On rare occasions when water levels in the Kotmale Reservoir drop significantly, the submerged temple ruins become partially exposed. These fleeting moments offer a rare glimpse into an important religious site that usually remains hidden beneath the water.
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