Gadaladeniya Temple

Believed to be one of the wonderful constructions of Buddhist Temple Architecture, the Gadaladeniya Temple visit is a must on your to do list while in Kandy. This temple is located in Pilimathalawa, Kandy and was built during the Kingdom of Gampola by King Bhuvanekabahu IV (1344 AD). It was built with inspiration from South Indian architecture. Although the ancient temple does not possess its original charm today, it still has wonderful features such as the beautifully carved wooden entrance doors that include remains of paintings that reflect the temple architecture of Kandy. There are frescoes and murals that yield character to the temple.
The temple includes the main shrine with the statue of the Buddha in it. The temple is situated on top of a hill which has lovely panoramic views. In the middle of the Temple site, sits a secondary shrine which has little ‘wings’ that branch out in a unique angle. Each wing forms into a smaller, individual Buddha shrines. Each small shrine has its own dome with the main dome situated in the middle of the four wings. It was revealed later that the chamber within the main dome held a Buddha statue, but had been destroyed during colonial rule. Adjoining the shrine is the Vishnu Devalaya.
The temple has retained its spectacular features even after several wars and invasions which make it yet one of the most popular places to visit. Travel back in time and see the mystical fusion of Sinhalese architecture with South Indian influences.