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Lankathilaka Viharaya,situated in Pilimathalawa area near Kandy was constructed in the 14th century AD by King Buvanekabahu the 4th. It was revived later by Vijayabahu IV.
Lankathilaka Viharaya, Kandy was made in the conventional Sinhalese way.
Lankathilaka Viharaya, Kandy is a dramatic building made out of clay brick. At one time it was a five-storied building. It is decorated with flowers, creepers, birds, animals and statues of gods. At the entrance of the building there are two huge pillars. Presently the pillars have broken down and reduced to a height of 58 ft. Initially, the height of these pillars was almost twice the existing one.
In the shrine rooms of the Lankathilaka Viharaya, Kandy there is an intricate designing of stonework and also of wood for the four gods who are guarding the building. The outer walls of temple are adorned with sculpture which is very delicate in nature. The sculpture portrays diverse buildings of the Polonnaruwa period. There is a pillared
"mandapaya" rite in front of the structure. It consists of 40 festooned pillars made purely out of stone. The passage of the temple which is similar to the passage of a cathedral, faces a statue of a standing Buddha. The statue of the standing Buddha is presently headless. Previously it was 41 ft. in height.
The Buddha statue plus 24 previous Buddha statues guarded by the Makara thorana should be worshipped peacefully. But the moonstone, two balustrades, Makara thorana made on the way to the Buddha image house is so unique. Whereas the temple is built on a rocky outcrop a decorous atmosphere is offered to the devotees and the tourists. Murals, paintings, frescoes and sculptures adorned
with vivid colors can be explored all day long. At the same time God Vishnu, ganapathi, saman, Vibishana and Kumara bandara can be worshipped in the Lankathilaka viharaya. God Kumara bandara is believed to be the assigned caretaker of the viharaya.
Local devotees visit the viharaya and worship the dagoba, sacred bo tree and the Buddha sri pathula (a large stone image of the lord Buddha’s footprint). The Lankatilake rock inscription cut into the rock proclaims the initiators of the temple and the support and conveniences provided by the kings.
Lankathilaka Viharaya, Kandy has an exclusive architectural design. It is very much different from the other buildings of its era.
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