In front of you rises the imposing Adahanamaluwa Gedige Vihara. This isn’t just any temple, it’s a place steeped in royal history, a silent witness to the rise and fall of the Kandyan kings. As you stand right here you can almost feel the weight of the past.
The Adahanamaluwa Gedige Vihara, meaning “cremation ground temple” – is a historical gem, the second oldest stone structure in all of Kandy. It was built as a memorial to Queen Chandrawathi, the mother of King Vikramabahu III. Queen Chandrawathi was one of the first to be cremated here. Her remains were buried within the temple complex, a testament to the reverence that was once held for this place.
But sadly, today, the tombs are gone. The British, during the colonial period, built a railway line through the temple’s grounds. One of the tunnels cuts through the original Royal burial ground, erasing all traces of a once grand royal cemetery. Despite this, the Adahanamaluwa Gedige Vihara continues to be a significant place in Kandy. It is the last resting place for most of the Kandyan kings and their relatives. The only two exceptions to this rule were King Vimaladharmasuriya I and King Sri Vikrama Rajasinghe.
Today this ancient temple, a sanctuary of Buddhist traditions, stands as a solemn reminder of the past, its stones whispering tales of kings and queens, ceremonies, and the very essence of Royal Kandyan power.