Lankatilaka Vihara

Coordinates: 7°14′02″N 80°33′54″E / 7.23384°N 80.56503°E / 7.23384; 80.56503
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Lankatilaka Vihara
ලංකාතිලක විහාරය
Buddhist Temple
FounderKing Bhuvanekabahu IV

Lankatilaka Vihara (

Pilimatalawa junction and a few kilometres from the buddhist temple, Gadaladeniya Vihara. It is considered the most magnificent architectural edifice created during the Gampola era.[2]

History

The history of the temple goes back to the 14th century. According to historical reports this temple was built during the time of King

South Indian architect named Sathapati Rayar.[citation needed] According to Professor Senarath Paranavithana, Sathapati Rayar designed this temple using Tamil Pandya sculptors brought from Tamil Nadu in Hindu style.[citation needed] in the 13th century, Polonnaruwa era and also with other Dravidian
and Indo Chinese architectural patterns.

The temple

A Buddha image with Makara Thorana

The vihara buildings have been built on a natural rock called Panhalgala Rock. Among the buildings, the image house possesses characteristically outstanding architectural features, embellished with traditional Sinhalese sculptures. According to the facts recorded in the Lankatilake copper plaque, this image house was constructed as a four-storied mansion with a height of eighty feet, but today only 3 stories can be seen. The walls and the ceiling of the image house have been adorned with the Kandyan era paintings and sculptures.

Rock curved inscriptions found in the temple premises with both

Sinhala and Tamil sections, proclaim about the initiators and the facilities gifted to this temple by the kings.[4]

Devales

The image house of the Lankatilaka is enriched with six

Kumara bandara is believed to be the deity, who protects the Lankatilaka vihara.

See also

  • List of Archaeological Protected Monuments in Sri Lanka

References

  1. ^ "Protercted Monument List 2012-12-12" (PDF). Department of Archaeology. 12 December 2012. Retrieved 27 March 2016.
  2. ^ "Gadaladeniya Vihara: Etched in stone Influenced by Hindu architecture". Sunday Observer. 10 February 2017.
  3. ^ "Lankatilaka Viharaya (Kandy)". Lankapradeepa. 27 January 2021.
  4. ^ Paranavitana, S. (1960). "Lankatilaka inscriptions". University of Ceylon Review. XVIII (1–2): 1–45.
  5. .