Gadaladeniya Viharaya

Considered to be one of the finest examples of Buddhist temple architecture, the Gadaladeniya Viharaya is definitely one of the must-visits when you’re planning a trip to Kandy in Sri Lanka. Inspired from South Indian architectural style, this temple was built during the reign of Gampola King Wicramabahu somewhere around 1344.
A temple that is as old as the Gadaladeniya Viharaya usually doesn’t have much of its original charm left. But, guess what? You’ll still be able to catch the best features of this Buddhist temple. For instance the entrance doors carved from wood still includes the remnants of the paintings that form an integral part of temple architecture in Kandy.
Also to be noticed are the frescoes and images that give the temple its true character. As is an important feature of all Buddhist temple architectures, the Gadaladeniya Viharaya has also been cut out from stone, quite evident in the remnants.
Apart from the outer structures, the temple also includes a main shrine, with the seat of the Buddha inside, features which aren’t different from the other Buddhist temples around the world. But what makes the Gadaladeniya Viharaya special is its location on the top of a hill, which makes way for a truly spectacular view of the adjoining areas.
Even after subsequent invasions and attempts of sabotage after being built, the temple has not failed to retain its most attractive features like the intricate detailing on the pillars. It’s definitely no wonder that it still remains as one of the most popular places of tourist attractions among the vacationers to the cultural capital of Sri Lanka!