Degaldoruwa Raja Maha Vihara, Buddhist rock temple in Amunugama, Kandy, Sri Lanka.
Degaldoruwa Raja Maha Vihara is a Buddhist rock temple in Amunugama, Kandy, with chambers carved directly into natural rock formations. The interior features detailed painted walls and Buddhist religious imagery that cover the entire temple space.
King Kirti Sri Rajasingha began the temple's construction in 1771, and his brother Rajadhi Rajasingha completed it after taking power. This project emerged during a period when Buddhist architecture and art held strong importance in the region.
The walls showcase frescoes from the Kandyan period that tell Buddhist stories through traditional Sri Lankan artistic methods. These artworks remain central to how local people understand and connect with their spiritual heritage.
The temple sits about 7 kilometers from Kandy's center and welcomes visitors throughout the day. Modest dress is expected and visitors should follow Buddhist temple customs out of respect.
The inner chambers hold preserved murals from the 18th century painted with natural pigments directly onto rock surfaces. These ancient techniques show how artists worked with the materials available to them at the time.
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