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Gadaladeniya and Other Interesting Sites around Kandy

Gadaladeniya, Embekke and Lankathileke
Gadaladeniya

Along the Kadugannawa - Kandy road, about 1.5 Kilometers from the junction at the 65th mile you will come across this ancient shrine. It was built by the Ven. Seelavansa Dharma Kirthi thero the sangharaja during the reign of King Bhuvanekabahu the 4th (1341-1351 AD).

The whole structure except for the sikhara (Pinnacle) at the top in made out of stone while the sikhara is of bricks. It rises over the sanctum in an octagonal shape but has been given the appearance of a dagaba. The vestibule parch has flat roots. In the main sanctum of the shrine there is an image house with religious art and a devala is also built as an extension of the vestibule. There are also some intricately carved figures of musicians and dancers. The foot of the entrance stairways is advanced with an intricately carved moonstone and two Gajasinha balustrades.

Degaldoruwa

This is an ancient cave temple which is situated about 25 Kilometers north-east of the Lewella ferry. It was built by King Kirthi Sir Rajasingha (1747-1780AD) of Kandy. It houses two large recumbent and sedent Buddha statues. The cave walls are adorned with paintings depicthin the Jathaka Stories.

Embekke

This is a devala famous for its architecture and carvings. It resides in the village of Embekke, about 6.5Kilometers from the Peradeniya junction along the Davulugala Road. The wooden pillows used in its construction are so intricately carved that it is considered the most attractive structures of the Kandiyan period. The timber of the roof is also of massive proportions.

Lankatileke Viharaya

This vihara can be reached by taking the turnoff to the right at the 65th Mile Post in the Kadugannawa-Kandy rood. It is about 5Kilometers from the turnoff. The shrine is built on a rack outcrop and it bears two stone inscriptions. One of King Bhuvenehababu IV (1341-1351AD) and a tamil inscription of King Vikcramabahu III (1357-1374AD) it had three floors earlier. On either side of each entrance on the outer wall is advanced with 16 Stone elephant figures. The lankatilake image house has beautiful paintings of the Kandyan period.

The King's Place, Kandy

This place building of Sri Wickrama Rahasingha near the temple of the tooth and is a very good example of a royal palace during the Kandyan Period. Originally the walls of the main pout of the building had stucco figures of chowri-bearing woman nearly life size of lion and geese and terracotta figures of lions and geese. Sadly these beautiful figures were covered by successive layers of lime-wash applied by the British who occupied the palace as the official residence for the chief administrative official of the city.

These are some many sites, that should be in the itenery of tourists visiting Sri Lanka.

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