General Information of Gampola

Set in the salubrious hill country, on the banks of the undulating Mahaweli River, amongst the mountains and valleys, lay this bridge shead for resistance movements and refuge for strategic withdrawals-Gampola. When the Sinhala Kings commenced shifting their administrative capital from low land to the central mountainous region for strategic reasons Gampola with its unique setting was the ideal location. Gampola is surrounded by many important Buddhists temple. The interpolation of vedic and post vedic Hindu deities into the venerations of Mahayana deities firmly extrapolation as a part of religious practice of Sri lantern Buddhists emanated from Gampola. At Gadaladeniya and Lankatilaka temples the images of Saman, Vhibishana and Skanda were installed as attendants of the Buddha.

Gadaladeniya Viharaya

Built almost exclusively of stone in 1344 by the Gampola King Wickramabahu, situated on a hilltop, commanding views of the surrounding countryside. 

The architecture is Dravidian. The entrance porch features large stone pillars, which support a roof of huge stone slabs. Within the vihara, an ancient stone and plaster Buddha image looks down upon milk rice pots that have collected food offerings for centuries. 

The 638-year-Old jack wood doors still exhibit their original paintings.

Lankathilaka Viharaya

Completed in 1344, but in a more traditional Sinhalese style. 
Situated on a top of a gray rock above the fertile highland green, it justifies its name: "the beauty spot on Lanka's brow." 
The shrine contains an ancient Buddha image of brick and plaster, plus devalas to the four guardian deities of the island, each with his consort. 
A Pali language rock inscription at the site records the valuable gifts to craftsmen who toiled on the temple. Woodcarvers still work at the foot of the rock on which the temple stands. 

This is a Magnificent building shining in white against the blue sky in the background. Being a brick building in three stories, it has a peculiar architectural design.
Amidst the painted doors of wood and frescoes still bright with their original paint on walls and ceilings in the shrine room is found a superb seated image of the Buddha. 

Ambekke Devalaya

This Shrine is dedicated to God Kataragama. This temple is famed for its carved wooden pillars with intricate designs. The pillars leap to life with dancers, musicians, wrestlers, legendary beasts and birds. 

Nearby are the ruins of an ancient Rest House with similar pillars carved in stone. All the above described monuments belong to the 14th century.

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