“River monastery.” That’s what Gangarama Rajamaha Viharaya means in Sinhala. The name fits perfectly because of its location near the great Mahaweli Ganga river. We are standing in front of a temple with a history stretching back centuries.
Gangarama Rajamaha Viharaya is not just a temple. It is a living testament to Sri Lanka’s rich cultural and religious heritage. It is located in Talwatta village. This temple is about 4.2 km from Kandy town, along the Kandy-Lewella road.
King Kirti Sri Rajasinghe is credited with building this sacred place around 1750 AD. He ruled from 1747 to 1781 AD. The king noticed an ancient stone statue in a palmyrah garden. He then ordered a viharaya to be made.
Let’s look closer at the rock inscription within the Gangarama Rajamaha Viharaya. It describes the king’s building of the temple. It mentions stone walls 13 cubits in length, 7 in breadth, and 11 in height. Stone pillars surrounded the walls. A roof with rafters covered with tiles completed the structure.
Inside, a 9-cubit-high stone image was made. It was beautified with vermillion painting. Golden leaves covered its members. Paintings of five hues adorned the surroundings. Finally, it was enshrined with relics. The inscription notes that in 1752 AD, the eyes were affixed to the Buddha image. This was done with great rejoicing and excessive offerings. The workmen were satisfied with appropriate gifts.
The paintings inside Gangarama Rajamaha Viharaya are something special. They depict scenes from the Buddha’s life and Jataka stories. These murals exemplify Kandyan Sittara art. The decorated eave tiles feature the lion symbol. The high roof structure impresses visitors. The large standing Buddha figure is 27 feet high. Walls of paintings surround it. They speak volumes about the artistic and religious fervor of the kings.
Tradition says that the highway passing through Gangarama was an ancient route. It linked villages like Sirimalwatta and Degaldoruwa. Royalty used this route to reach a bathing site in the river. Some believe King Sri Rajadhi Rajasinha bestowed this temple to Moratota Dhammakkhanda Thera.
Inside the Gangarama Rajamaha Viharaya you will find a preaching hall and a Bodhi tree. There are also two Devalas and a Stupa. An image house, monks’ dwellings, and a drumming hall are present. The image house holds the most archaeological value. It surrounds a standing Buddha statue carved from a natural rock boulder. King Kirti Sri Rajasinghe’s inscription is on this boulder.
The standing Buddha statue is about 10 meters high. Scholars believe this statue dates back to the Anuradhapura or Gampola Period. The inner cella measures 13 meters long, 7 meters wide, and 11 meters tall. Access to the inner cella is through a decorated archway. Two guardians guard it: Siva-Aghora and Siva-Vatuka.
Inside the image house, the standing Buddha statue is accompanied by Sariputta and Moggallana. They were Gautama Buddha’s chief disciples. Square panels containing Buddha images cover the walls. These represent the “Thousand Buddhas.” The lower portions depict scenes from the Buddha’s life. The offering of milk rice by Sujata is a unique depiction.
Paintings in Gangarama temple are comparable to those in Dambulla and Ridi Viharaya. Gannoruwe Lokumuhandiram is said to be the main artist.
Lewella Gangarama Raja Maha Viharaya stands as a reminder of devotion. It showcases art and history intertwined. Take a moment to appreciate the serene atmosphere. Remember the kings, artists, and devotees who shaped this sacred place. Their legacy lives on in every stone and every brushstroke of Gangarama Rajamaha Viharaya.