Maliyadda Tempita Viharaya

Maliyadda Tempita Viharaya, also known as Sri Sudarshanarama Viharaya (Sinhala: මාලියද්ද ටැම්පිට විහාරය), is a Buddhist temple situated in Maliyadda village in Kegalle District, Sri Lanka.

History

This temple is believed to be a monastery of forest-dwelling monks since the Dambadeniya Period (Silva & Chandrasekara, 2021). The Tempita Viharaya was constructed at the site during the reign of King Kirti Sri Rajasinha [(1747-1782 A.D.) Silva & Chandrasekara, 2021].

Tempita Viharas 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. The walls are usually made of wattle and daub and they form the main enclosed shrine room containing the Buddhist sculptures and murals belonging to 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).

The Tempita Viharaya of Maliyadda temple has been built on 24 short stone pillars grouped together in fours to support the four corners and the middle of the sides of the structure (Silva & Chandrasekara, 2021). A narrow ambulatory without a wall or handrail runs around the shrine room and the total structure is sheltered by a single-pitched hipped roof.

1) Silva, K.D. and Chandrasekara, D.P., 2021. The Tämpiṭavihāras of Sri Lanka: Elevated Image-Houses in Buddhist Architecture. Anthem Press. pp.140-141.
2) Wijayawardhana, K., 2010. Sri Lankawe Tampita Vihara (In Sinhala). Dayawansa Jayakody & Company. Colombo. ISBN: 978-955-551-752-2. p.12.

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This page was last updated on 12 March 2023