Lankatilaka Vihara

Lankatilaka Vihara (Sinhala: ලංකාතිලක විහාරය) is an ancient Buddhist temple situated in Udunuwara of Kandy, Sri Lanka. It is located on Daulagala road approximately 4 km (2.5 mi) away from Pilimatalawa junction and a few kilometres from the ancient buddhist temple, Gadaladeniya Vihara. It is considered as the most magnificent architectural edifice created during the Gampola era.[2][3]

[1]

Lankatilaka Vihara
ලංකාතිලක විහාරය
Religion
AffiliationBuddhism
DistrictMahanuwara
ProvinceCentral Province
Location
LocationKandy, Sri Lanka
Geographic coordinates07°14′1.98″N 80°33′53.03″E
Architecture
TypeBuddhist Temple
FounderKing Bhuvanekabahu IV

History

The history of the temple goes back to the 14th century. According to historical reports this temple was built by King Bhuvanekabahu IV, who reigned from 1341 to 1351 A. D.[4] He entrusted the construction of this temple to his Chief Minister named Senalankadhikara, who successfully finished the works of this temple. The architecture of the temple was designed by a South Indian architect named Sathapati Rayar.[5] According to the Professor Senarath Paranavithana, Sathapati Rayar designed this temple using Sinhalese architecture of Polonnaruwa era and also with other Dravidian and Indo Chinese architectural patterns.[6]

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 possess characteristically outstanding architectural features, embellished with traditional Sinhalese sculptures.[7] According to the facts recorded in the Lankatilake copper plaque, this image house was construct as a four storied mansion with height of eighty feet, but today only 3 stories can be seen.[6] The walls and the ceiling of the image house has been adorned with the Kandyan era paintings and sculptures.[8]

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.[9]

Devales

The image house of the Lankatilaka is enriched with five devales. God Upulvan, Ganapathi, Saman, Vibhishana and Kumara Bandara are worshipped here. God Kumara bandara is believed to be the deity, who protect the Lankatilaka vihara.[5]

See also
  • List of Archaeological Protected Monuments in Sri Lanka

References
  1. "Robert Knox, Page 4".
  2. "Lankathilaka Viharaya Kandy". vvip.lk. Retrieved 11 November 2015.
  3. "Gadaladeniya Vihara: Etched in stone Influenced by Hindu architecture". Sunday Observer. 10 February 2017.
  4. "Lankathilaka Viharaya". kandycity.org. 10 February 2012. Retrieved 11 November 2015.
  5. "Lankatilaka – The temple built on a rock". tourslanka.com. Retrieved 11 November 2015.
  6. "Lankatilaka Temple". srilankaview.com. Retrieved 11 November 2015.
  7. "Lankathilaka Viharaya". tour.lk. Retrieved 11 November 2015.
  8. "Lankatilaka Raja Maha Viharaya – ලංකාතිලක රජමහා විහාරය". amazinglanka.com. Retrieved 11 November 2015.
  9. "lankathilaka viharaya kandy". lankainformation.lk. Retrieved 11 November 2015.
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