Dethawa Tempita Viharaya, also known as Mahamuni Viharaya (Sinhala: දැතව ටැම්පිට විහාරය), is a Buddhist temple situated in Dethawa village near the famous Panavitiya Ambalama in Kurunegala District, Sri Lanka.
History
The Tempita Viharaya of this temple is believed to have been erected during the Kandyan Period. The Stupa was added to the temple in the late-20th century (Silva & Chandrasekara, 2021).
Tempita Viharaya
Tempita Viharas were popular in 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. The walls are usually made of wattle and daub and form the main enclosed shrine room containing Buddhist sculptures and murals in the Kandyan style. Some Tempita Viharas have narrow verandas and ambulatories circulating the main enclosed space. The construction of these buildings started in the 17th century and lasted until the end of the 19th century (Wijayawardhana, 2010).
Dethawa Tempita Viharaya
The Dethawa Tempita Viharaya is built upon six short stone pillars and the sanctum is surrounded by a narrow ambulatory enclosed with a wall of balusters made of Kithul palm (Silva & Chandrasekara, 2021). The roof is covered with Calicut clay tiles..
References
1) Silva, K.D. and Chandrasekara, D.P., 2021. The Tämpiṭavihāras of Sri Lanka: Elevated Image-Houses in Buddhist Architecture. Anthem Press. pp.102-103.
2) Wijayawardhana, K., 2010. Sri Lankawe Tampita Vihara (In Sinhala). Dayawansa Jayakody & Company. Colombo. ISBN: 978-955-551-752-2. p.12,291-294.
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This page was last updated on 25 March 2023
