Gadaladeniya Temple: History, Architecture & Kingdom Of Gampola

The island was fragmented into several kingdoms, and this temple was component of the Kingdom of Gampola, which was based in the homonymous city located about 10 km (about 6 miles) from the temple. The leader, King Buvanekabahu IV, appointed the building and construction of this temple, calling on a South Indian architect by the name of Ganesvarachari.

Temple Origins & Gampola Kingdom

On the northeastern side of the temple are some stone-cut steps leading down to one of the gateways onto a side road. It is here that the date of construction of the holy place is recorded.

The island was fragmented into numerous kingdoms, and this holy place was part of the Kingdom of Gampola, which was based in the homonymous city situated concerning 10 km (about 6 miles) from the holy place. The ruler, King Buvanekabahu IV, commissioned the building and construction of this holy place, calling on a South Indian engineer by the name of Ganesvarachari. The major holy place is made of sculpted granite, with the exemption of chamber where the main statue of the Buddha is situated, which made of blocks. Developed a few years after the primary temple, it consists of a main stupa with four smaller sized stupas attached to it.

Construction and Historical Context

An inscription on the rock outcrop it rests on shows that Gadaladeniya Viharaya (also known as Gadaladeniya Rajamaha Viharaya) was integrated in 1344. When it comes to several temples of this period, it is possible that an even older holy place used to be in place, yet this is just about impossible to identify.

The primary temple is made from carved granite, with the exception of chamber where the major statue of the Buddha is located, that made of blocks. The huge statuary of the Buddha is likewise made of physicals, however covered with lime and sand, and at some point repainted gold. Across an all-natural pond created in a dip of the rock is the secondary temple. Constructed a couple of years after the main holy place, it consists of a main stupa with 4 smaller sized stupas connected to it. Every one of these smaller stupas is home to a statue of the Four Heavenly Kings.

Architectural Blend: Sinhalese & Dravidian

Charming as the facility may be, the difference in between Sinhalese and Dravidian components is not apparent to the untrained eye. A trademark quality of South Indian style is the stepped pyramidal roofing, which is commonly adorned with a myriad of religious figures. This would certainly be a conspicuous noninclusion at Gadaladeniya Viharaya, but in reality, it still exists, albeit concealed under the Sinhalese-style roof covering that nowadays covers the holy place.

Noticeable proof of Dravidian layout can be located in the alternating octagonal and square cross-sections design of the pillars in the vestibule; in addition, these pillars are decorated with carvings of divine beings like Nataraja and Krishna, which clearly suggest South Indian influences. As for Singhalese architectural influences, beside the already pointed out roofing system of the holy place, there is a stupa, a moonstone at the entry, and the three-sided double pillars in the hall, all of which point at regional perceptiveness.