Degaldoruwa Cave Temple, Kandy -Architecture,History and Wall Paintings

Degaldoruwa Cave Temple

Degaldoruwa Cave Temple, Kandy

The Degaldoruwa Temple was built in 1771 AD by King Rajadi Rajasinha and was initiated during the rein of his elder brother King Kirti Sri Rajasinha [1747-1782 AD].This is considered as a Cave Temple with Kandyan era Paintings and Architecture.

Called locally as Degaldoruwa Raja Maha Viharaya, this temple is situated at Amunugama, a village near Kandy Town.The easiest way It can be reached from Kandy is via the roadway over Lewella Bridge or by proceeding along Kundasale road and turning left at Nattarampota.

The temple had been built at a place where two rocks were touching each other from above and below.The rock mass has a height of about 40 feet. A Cave had been made by breaking the rocks large enough to accomodate the Shrine Room of the Buddha and an area leading to the Shrine Room.

The paintings at the temple were the work of four painters. These paintings are recognized as some of the best examples of the Kandyan era paintings. Four " Jathaka Stories " are drawn at this cave temple of which one is the famous Vessantara Jathaka story.

In the Shrine Room ceiling, which is a rock surface, is also painted the scene of the Lord Buddha and the Mara and his forces. There is also a painting of Mahi Kantawa or the Earth Godess on the ceiling.

There is a Bo tree and a Stupa at a terrace above the summit of Rock Temple and a path with carved steps on the rock from the lower terrace and then an ascend of a pathway leading to Bo Tree and Stupa area.

The Degaldoruwa Tamba Sannasa or the Copper Plate Grant of King Rajadi Rajasinha describes the construction details of the temple