Panduwasnuwara Raja Maha Viharaya Panduwasnuwara Raja Maha Viharaya , also known as Pandukabhaya Pirivena (Sinhala: පඬුවස්නුවර රජ මහා විහාරය), is a Buddhist temple situated in the Ancient City of Panduwasnuwara in Kurunegala District, Sri Lanka. History
The temple is situated among the ruins of ancient Parakramapura (presently called Panduwasnuwara), the city of Dakkhinadesa founded by King Parakramabahu the Great (1153-1186 A.D.) when he was the sub-king of this territory (Nicholas, 1963). The temple consists of several old monuments including a Kandyan Era Tempita Vihara, and several pillar inscriptions belonging to the 9-10th century A.D. Tempita Viharaya
Tempita Viharas (the temples on pillars) were a popular aspect of many Buddhist temples during the Kandyan period. These structures were usually built on a wooden platform resting on bare stone pillars or stumps which are about 1-4 feet tall. The roof is generally made of timber and held by wooden stumps and wattle walls. The walls form the main enclosed shrine roo…
