Degaldoruwa Raja Maha Viharaya
Sri Lankans, who did art as a subject during their school days, may heard about the paintings at
Degaldoruwa Rajamaha Viharaya. This temple is so famous for the Kandian style paintings.
Location of the Degaldoruwa Temple:
This hidden gem of art is located close to Lewella, Kandy and it is not far away from city center. From Lewellwa take Sirimalwatta road cross the bridge then take the turn to right hand side. Please refer the following Google map and you can get help from villages to find the directions.View Larger Map
Degaldoruwa temple reclining Buddha statue
We visited this place during a weekday and there were no visitors at that time. We met a very and kind & pleasant thero (monk), who was in his old ages. He kindly open the temple doors for us and explain about the history of the temple.
Degaldoruwa temple statues
Construction of Degaldoruwa Rajamaha viharaya was started by king Keerthi Sri Rajasinghe and completed by king Rajadhi Rajasinghe.
Degaldoruwa Raja Maha Viharaya paintings
Degaldoruwa temple was build not in a natural cave, in a spacial man made cave. This cave temple is not big in size when compared to Dambulla.
Degaldoruwawa Raja Maha Viharaya paintings
There is a 18 feet long reclining Buddha statue, 2 seating Buddha statues and 4
standing Buddha statues. Two seating Buddha statues are located left and right side
of the cave, between two standing statues each.
Cave walls are decorated with Kandian era paintings done based on the Jathaka Katha
and with many decorations. Cave roof has painting on "Mar Parajaya", "Mahi Kanthawa", "Sadivya loka -
six heavens" and "Suvisi Viwarana".
Degaldoruwawa Raja Maha Viharaya paintings
We heard that this paintings were restored by famous Italian painter "Lusiano Maransi", who did a great job in restoring the destroyed Sigiriya paintings. But today authorities need to have a proper steps for reservation of these painting for future generations. Same time you can contribute with some donations to the temple.
Degaldoruwawa Raja Maha Viharaya paintings
Degaldoruwawa Raja Maha Viharaya paintings
Degaldoruwawa Raja Maha Viharaya paintings
There are steps towards the left side from the temple towards to of the rock and you can see a Boo tree and Dageba over there.
