Kandy’s Iconic Three Temple Trail – Exploring the Sacred Sites of Gadaladeniya, Embekke and Lankathileke. (Part 1 and Part 2)- By Nilka Dabare

Kandy’s Iconic Three Temple Trail – Exploring the Sacred Sites of Gadaladeniya, Embekke and Lankathileke. (Part 1 and Part 2)- By Nilka Dabare

Source : Nilka Dabare LinkedIn

Belonging to the 15th through 17th centuries, the Gampola Kingdom period, Embekke, Lankathilake, and Gadaladeniya provide a fascinating glimpse into Kandy’s Buddhist heritage, art and architecture. This trail is also enjoyed as a trail loop to do on foot, a scenic walk between the temples if one wishes to experience the beautiful scenery and countryside.
Gadaladeniya Temple

Built in the 14th century by King Bhuvenakabahu IV of the Gampola Kingdom ( 1341-1408), this temple is renowned for its exquisite stone carvings and paintings. The temple’s stone doorways, Buddha statues and art all showcase the beautiful construction techniques, incorporating elements from Indian, Polonnaruwa, and even Indo-Chinese styles by the Indian architect  Ganesvarachari in 1344 A.D.

Highlights

• The main shrine houses a majestic statue of a seated Buddha, under an elaborate Makara Thorana (a decorative dragon archway)
• The secondary shrine comprises a large stupa that stands at the centre, surrounded by four smaller stupas at each cardinal point. Each smaller stupa houses a seated Buddha statue, while its walls are adorned with paintings of deities, further enriching the spiritual atmosphere.

Embekke Devalaya
Dating back to the 14th century, this temple was built by King Wickremabahu III (1357-1374 AD) and is a shrine dedicated to Lord Kathragama, Sri Lanka’s guardian deity.  This unique wooden structure stands out for its extensive use of wooden beams and exquisite craftsmanship. The temple complex comprises several halls, showcasing different aspects of woodwork.

Main Highlights

• Drummer’s Hall: Has intricately carved wooden pillars and a giant catch pin on the roof, meticulously designed to distribute the weight evenly while ensuring stability. The hall’s unique design even inspired elements of the Independence Memorial Hall in Colombo.
• Dance Hall: The likely venue for traditional dances and ceremonies of the day.
• Sanctum of Garagha: This inner sanctum serves as the most sacred space for devotees who come here to pay homage to Lord Kataragama Deviyo.

The careful observer will also note shrines at all three temples that are dedicated to Lord Kumara Bandara, a popular local deity, it seems, who is venerated and known only in the Kandy area.
At Lankathileke and Embekke, one will also notice elevated “Atuwa” structures, which were rice and dry goods storage houses used during this period.

 

 Part 2

Source : Nilka Dabare LinkedIn

Lankathilake Viharaya

Standing majestically on a rocky crest overlooking the Hantana Mountain range, with incredible vistas, Lankathilake Viharaya is considered the most magnificent architectural marvel of the Gampola Kingdom. Built by King Bhuvenakabahu IV with a South Indian architect Sthapati Rayar credited with the design, this magnificent structure wasn’t just a temple, but also once served as a royal residence. Like Gadaladeniya Temple, Lankathilake’s design reflects a captivating blend of South Indian and Indo-Chinese influences, making it a true architectural marvel.
The temple has two entrances, with the entrance on the eastern side having steep rock-cut steps to climb up to the image house, providing beautiful views along he way.

Main Highlights

The Main Shrine: Depicts a majestic statue of the Lord Buddha sitting in meditation, beneath a beautifully carved elaborate dragon archway (Makara Thorana), a mythical dragon-like fire-spewing creature that has another mythical creature depicted on the archway that comprises a mix of 6 animal features. ( Crocodile teeth, monkey eyes, boar’s ears, lion’s paws, elephant’s trunk, peacock tail feathers)

The main Buddha Statue under the dragon archway has Blue Sapphires placed as the Buddha’s eyes ( as per the design and construction of the original statue)

The two (almost black) elephant tusks placed on either side of the Buddha Statue belong to Sri Lanka’s Hero King Dutugemunu’s Elephant, Kandula. The tusks had been hidden away in mud, and over hundreds of years, the ivory tusks had turned black due to the mixing of mud water into the white ivory.

The ceiling at Lankatilleke Image house depicts a unique ceiling art piece not found in any other temple in Sri Lanka. An intricate painting depicting an intertwining of four swans enclosed in a circular formation.

The two 58-foot-tall wooden doors, the entrance to the image house.

The Secondary Shrine:
Has shrines dedicated to various deities, with God Vishnu holding the most prominent position.

Lankathilleke also has the largest stone inscription on the island, carved out in a mix of Tamil and Medieval Sinhalese, which informs of the construction of the temple premises. The careful observer will also note shrines at all three temples that are dedicated to Lord Kumara Bandara, a popular local deity, it seems, who is venerated and known only in the Kandy area.

At Lankathileke and Embekke, one will also notice elevated “Atuwa” structures, which were rice and dry goods storage houses used during this period.