Sunandarama Pirivena in Ovitigala, Kalutara, is a 19th-century Buddhist temple known for its image house with colonial-era murals.
Sunandarama Pirivena (Ovitigala) S unandarama Pirivena (Sinhala: ඕවිටිගල සුනන්දාරාම පිරිවෙන) is a Buddhist temple situated in Ovitigala village in Kalutara District, Sri Lanka. History This temple is said to have been established in the second half of the 19th century. Induruwe Medhankara Thera was the first incumbent of the temple. The Image House The old image house of Sunandarama Viharaya is considered the most important monument of the temple. It mainly consists of two parts; the inner chamber and the outer chamber (the vestibule). The inner chamber contains three Buddha statues in the seated, standing and reclining postures. An entrance decorated with Makara Thorana (the dragon arch) provides access to this chamber. The walls and the ceiling of the outer chamber are filled with old murals depicting Buddhist themes such as Sath Sathiya (the first seven weeks after the enlightenment), Suvisi Vivaranaya (Buddha to be receiving the blessing from 24 previous Buddhas), and some important events in the life of the Buddha. Tw…
