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TAMPITA VIHARA HERITAGE

Burunnewa Sri Nagarukkarama Tampita Viharaya Warakapola

බුරුන්නෑව ශ්‍රී නාගරුක්‌ඛාරාම ටැම්පිට විහාරය

SABARAGAMUWA PROVINCE

KEGALLE DISTRICT

7°13'14.37''N 80°14'9''E

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Sixteen granite pillars, no two the same size, holding one small temple level.

STAND INSIDE IT — 360°

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THE PLACE

Tempita Vihara (Temple on Pillars) is a unique type of image house found in some Buddhist temples in Sri Lanka. These buildings have a distinctive architectural design. In the 17th-19th century, these Tempita Viharas were a popular aspect of many Buddhist temples. The Tampita Vihara is built on 16 granite pillars of various sizes. The platform lies 4 foot 3 inches above ground level, a narrow circumambulating path with wooden protective handrails constructed around it. A beautiful wooden door frame flanked by guardian gods decorates the entrance to the image house. Inside the image-house is a samadhi Buddha statue.


 The inside walls of the image house are completed with paintings from the Kandyan period. Another interesting feature here is the finely carved wooden Buddha statue completed with a dragons arch and a miniature wooden replica of the Tampita Viharaya.

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PROVINCE

Sabaragamuwa Province

DISTRICT

Kegalle District

DS DIVISION

Warakapola Divisional Secretariat

GN DIVISION

LOCALITY

FROM COLOMBO

63 km · 1 h 54 min
70 km · 1 h 49 min by expressway

COORDINATES

7°13'14.37''N 80°14'9''E

THE PHOTOGRAPHS

THE PHOTOGRAPHER'S NOTES

- Viran de Silva

ONWARD

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UNIQUE SRI LANKA

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CONTACT

Photographs © Viran de Silva
info@virandesilva.com
uniquesrilanka.com

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