Surrounded by a range of forests and mountains, Dunkumbura temple is situated on a hilltop near Hatharliyedda in the Kandy district. It can be reached through Kandy Kurunegala road via Galagedara.

The image house was built in 1830 during the English regime. The construction work had been initiated by venerable "Dunkumbura Rathnapala" monk.

The image house is constructed on 24 stone pillars. There is a mandapa type-drumming hall in front of the image house.

The walls of the image house are wattle and daub. The thick wooden entrance door is carved with a "Liyawel" design. There are two relief work sculptures on either side of the door and a "Makara Thorana "on top.

The decorated wooden carvings in the image house illustrate the skills of ancient craftsmen and their attitude to religion at that time.

The archaeological department has renovated this structure in 1994. Originally there had been an outer wall on the image house. This wall has been removed to reduce the excess loading on the structure, and a new set of timber columns has been introduced to support the roof during the renovation.

(Architecture of Tampita Viharas in Sri Lanka by D. P. Chandrasekara and D. M. K. D. Silva, 2002, P139)

A repository of ola manuscripts found in Dunkumbura

Recording manuscripts on ola and preserving them in safe boxes was a feature of the revival ushered in by Venerable Velivita Saranankara Sangharaja. The temple libraries served as centres that retained ola manuscripts to disseminate education. One such place had been established at the tampita-vihara in Dunkumbura within Tumpane. There is a stock of rare manuscripts in this vihara.

The box used had been richly painted both inside and outside. Several ola manuscripts covered with boards studded with gems are kept in this box. Hence it is of unusual antiquarian value. Dunkumbura is located close to Hataraliyadda along the Galagedera —Hataraliyadda road. The traditional system of recording ola manuscripts is still being practised at this vihara.

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Dunkumbura Tampita Viharaya

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