Have you ever wondered what it would be like to step back in time? At the Degaldoruwa Raja Maha Viharaya, you can do just that. This temple, nestled within a towering 40-foot rock outcrop, is a testament to the rich history and artistic prowess of the Kandyan era.
The Degaldoruwa Raja Maha Viharaya is more than just a temple, it is a story carved into the heart of a rock. The tale goes back to a humble farmer who discovered a pile of golden sickles nestled between two colossal boulders. He would use one of the sickles for his daily work, replacing it in the evening. This routine continued day after day, until the farmer took two sickles and returned only one, fearing the wrath of the treasure’s guardian. The guardian, furious, sealed the boulders together.
The village, hearing of this event, alerted King Kirti Sri Rajasinha, who ordered the excavation of the cave and the building of a temple to honor the farmer’s discovery and to safeguard the treasure. This is how the Degaldoruwa Raja Maha Viharaya came to be, a place where history and legend entwine.
The Degaldoruwa Raja Maha Viharaya is a marvel of Kandyan architecture, with its three chambers, the drumming hall, the image house and the main shrine room. The temple is also a haven for captivating art. Within its walls, you will find stunning frescoes that chronicle the lives of the Buddha through the “Jataka tales”. Each panel is vibrant and detailed, painting a captivating tableau of the Buddha’s previous births.
At the heart of the temple, the main shrine houses a massive, reclining Buddha statue. The murals here depict the Buddha conquering Mara, the demon of death, rebirth and desire. Their intricate details will leave you mesmerized, as if you were experiencing the tale firsthand.
The Degaldoruwa Raja Maha Viharaya is a haven of tranquility, with the whispers of history echoing from its walls. As you leave this sacred place, carry with you the stories of the past, woven into the very fabric of the rock and etched into the soul of this ancient temple.