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Central Province

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  16 December 2021

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Summary

According to folklore mentioned in Mātalē Vihāra Vaṃsaya (The Chronicle of Temples in Mātalē), this ṭämpiṭavihāra was constructed in 1730 under the patronage of Piḷimatalavvē and Nugapola families with the guidance of the Buddhist monk Varāvala Thērō. It is located on Dämbāva-Mädabädda road, about 3 km west from Wahakōṭṭē junction, that is, 8 km south on Galēwela-Paḷāpatwala road. Placed on the highest terrace of the temple grounds, the ṭämpiṭavihāra faces north and used to have a maṇḍapa that functioned as a chapter-house. Comparatively smaller in size, the ṭämpiṭavihāra does not have an ambulatory. It is believed that Varāvala Therō was from the lineage of Hēratgama Ratanapāla, who belonged to the well-known Nīlagama guild of artists, who were also responsible for murals of the temples at Dambulla and Degaldōruva. The indelible stamp of this Sittara tradition of Kandyan paintings is clearly visible in the murals of this ṭämpiṭavihāra. The free and expressive style of the figures drawn and the use of light greyish blue in depicting ponds and trees are considered specific characteristics of the murals of this ṭämpiṭavihāra. Following tradition, only the life incidents of the Buddha are represented in the murals; yet the life incidents selected are uncommon. The horizontal narrative strips of wall paintings at the Dämbāva Ṭämpiṭavihāra are the narrowest panels found in the murals of the Kandyan period.

Dūnkumbura Ṭӓmpiṭavihāra, Kandy District

Surrounded by a picturesque mountainous setting, the ṭämpiṭavihāra is in the Dūnkumbura Raja Mahā Vihāra in Hataraliyädda on Galagedara-Rambukkana road about 8 km south from Galagedara. Initiated by the monk Dūnkumbure Ratanapāla, it was built in 1830. Constructed on 24 stone pillars, the ṭämpiṭavihāra has a maṇḍapa in the front that is used as a drumming hall. Originally there had been an outer wall along the ambulatory. This wall was removed to reduce the excessive loading on the structure and a new set of timber columns was introduced to support the roof during the preservation activities conducted by the Archaeological Department of Sri Lanka in 1994.

Kaloṭuvāva Ṭämpiṭavihāra, Kandy District

During the reign of Śrī Vickrama Rājasiṅghe (1798– 1815), two village headmen, Kaloṭuvāvē Gamarāla and Goḍagalē Gamarāla, led the construction of this ṭämpiṭavihāra within the premise of Kaloṭuvāva Purāna Raja Mahā Vihāra.

Type
Chapter
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The Tämpitaviharas of Sri Lanka
Elevated Image-Houses in Buddhist Architecture
, pp. 75 - 90
Publisher: Anthem Press
Print publication year: 2021

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