Gadaladeniya Vihara
Central Province
About Gadaladeniya Vihara
Gadaladeniya Vihara completes the great trio of Gampola-era temples west of Kandy - and it is the stone one: built in 1344 by the architect Ganesvarachari in confident South Indian style, its shrine of dressed granite rises from the bare rock summit like a small mountain grown geometric. Moonstone, carved doorways, and lotus-scroll pillars lead to a golden seated Buddha within, while the attached Vijayotpaya - a stupa raised on four open porticoes, said to echo Kanchipuram models - is unique on the island. Monks still keep the temple's 700-year rhythm, and from the rock terrace the view rolls over spice gardens and the blue Kandyan hills. Taken with the carved wooden hall of Embekka and the rock-borne mass of Lankatilaka - each an easy tuk-tuk hop apart - Gadaladeniya makes the three-temples loop the best half-day of medieval architecture in Sri Lanka.
Top Activities
- ✓The granite shrine and golden Buddha
- ✓The unique Vijayotpaya stupa pavilion
- ✓Rock-terrace views over the hills
- ✓Three-temples loop with Lankatilaka and Embekka
- ✓Meeting the resident monks
Nearby Attractions
Travel Tips
Start the three-temples loop here and finish at Embekka - it flows downhill.
Socks help on the sun-heated rock around the shrine.
A combined donation ticket covers upkeep at all three temples.
Quick Info
Best Time
Year-round
Weather
Mild; the bare rock terrace is hot underfoot at midday.
Estimated Daily Budget
7.2528°N, 80.5528°E
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