Four Dévalas

Near the Maligawa are four ancient dévalas or temples dedicated to deities Natha, Visnu, Skanda and Pattini. Another dévdla devoted to the elephant-headed Hindu deity, Ganesha, is located at Katukele.

Natha Dévala

Situated opposite the Temple, Natha Dévdla is considered the oldest dévala shrine. It is distinguished by a raised platform made out of dressed stone. There are three beautifully decorated entrances to gain admission. This stone-built dévala has been modelled on the famous Gadaladeni-vihara of Udunuwara. A figure of Natha made out of bronze is the focal shrine.

With the advent of Buddhism to Sri Lanka in the 3rd century BC, the next Buddha online was called Maitreya. Another aspirant Buddha is Avalokithésvara. Large and exquisite statues came to be erected in the Rohanadesaya at places such as Maligawila, Buduruvagala and Weligama.

According to the Sagama inscription, Natha was a prominent deity by 1333, which records the dedication of Saputalagama to Natha.

Déva Sanhinda, The southern entrance to the Nathadévala premises, had been referred to as déva sanhinda during the Kandyan period.

Madduma Bandara, a child hero, was beheaded at this place. His mother, Ehelepola Kumarihami, was ordered to pound the body of Madduma Bandara’s infant brother at the same spot. The wangediya (motar) used for this tragedy had been left in a place called Alakolamaditta. Present St. Paul’s Church was later constructed at this site.

This site of Natha-dévdla had initially been a Buddhist shrine, as proved from the several Bo-trees found there from early times. The one in front of the dévdla is considered a sapling from the Sri Maha Bédhi Anuradhapura brought there by brahmin Senkanda.

Otunu Mandapaya, Close to the Dgaba, to the west, is a circular foundation called the Otunu Mandapaya as the name signifies, naming, anointing, and crowning of Kandyan Kings had taken place at this venue. The stone close by where the crown had been kept is called the Otunugala.

There are some ancient ruins to the west of the Natha-dévala containing bricks older than the Kandyan period. Hence there had been a vihara described as a Bodhi-Ghara, a structure built for the sacred Bo Tree.

(Heritage of Kandurata by Dr. H.A.P. Abeyawardana P13,14)

. 2. The Nata Devale Building situated in the Kandy Town within the Kandy Grama Niladhari Division in Gangawata Korale Divisional Secretary’s Division in the Kandy District in the Central Province The site was designated as an Archaeological Protected Monument by Government Gazette notification. No: 1597 published on 8 April 2009.

Unique Sri Lanka

Natha Devalaya at Kandy

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