Gadaladeniya Viharaya

The Gadaladeniya Viharaya is a medieval Buddhist temple in Pilimathalawa in Kandy District. Due to their location to the west of Kandy city, the three Gampola-period temples of Gadaladeniya and nearby Lankatilaka and Embekke are known as Western Temples. According to historical inscriptions, the Gadaladeniya Viharaya was built under the patronage of King Bhuvanaikabahu IV, who reigned in the mid 14th century. The architect was of South Indian origin. That’s why the style of the main image house of Gadaladeniya Viharaya is inspired by Dravidian architecture. The stupika dome on the pyramidal stone roof callled Shikara resembles the Chola style of Tamil Nadi. The entrance is designed in the contemporary Vijayanagara style of the last Southindian empire. However, the stupa of the Gadaladeniya Viharaya shows Southeastasian influences. The late Middle Age was a period of cultural exchange between Sri Lanka and Myanmar in particular. The Gadaladeniya Viharaya is famous for its door decorations in particular, which are the best-preserved paintings from the Gampola period. The so-called flower maiden and the trumpeting Kinnara have become a sujet often imitated.