Gadaladeniya Temple, Lankatilaka Vihara Temple, and Embekka Devalaya Temple, in Kandy, Sri Lanka
Gadaladeniya Temple, Lankatilaka Vihara Temple, and Embekka Devalaya Temple, in Kandy, Sri Lanka There are quite a few ancient temples located in the hills surrounding the town of Kandy. We only visited three of these ancient temples, although there are more to see if you have the time. Gadaladeniya Vihara Temple is an old Buddhist rock temple situated in Pilimathalawa, in Kandy. The temple was built in 1344 A.D., by King Bhuvanekabhu IV. As with other Buddhist temples in Sri Lanka, there is great respect for existing Hindu temples and shrines, and often you can see Buddhist temple complexes with Hindu shrines inside, or Buddhist temples that were built using Hindu architectural influences. This temple was designed using a Hindu artistic architectural style from South India, with elephants supporting the building, but with a Buddhist Stupa roof. The whole temple was built on a large rock outcropping. There are carved inscriptions on the rock, regarding the temple'...