Embekka Devalaya
Embekka Devalaya (Embekka Temple) was built by the King Vikramabahu III [1] of Gampola Era (AD 1357 - 1374) in Sri Lanka.
The Devalaya in Embekka is dedicated to the worship of Mahasen, popularly known as Katharagama Deviyo. A local deity called Devatha Bandara
is also worshiped at this site. The shrine consists of three sections,
the "Sanctum of Garagha", the "Digge" or "Dancing Hall" and the "Hevisi
Mandapaya" or the "Drummers' Hall". The Drummers' Hall that has drawn
the attention of visitors to the site, due to the splendid wood carvings
[2] of its ornate pillars and its high pitched roof.
Carvings and Wood Work
It is said that some of the wood work utilized for the "Drummers' Hall" came from an abandoned "Royal Audience Hall" at Gampola. There is every possibility the hall has seen repairs during the reigns of the Sinhalese Kings of Kandy.
The carvings, which adorn the wooden pillars of the drummers' hall, as
well as the "Vahalkada" (the entrance porch of the devala, which is said
to be older) are some of the best examples of Sinhalese art.
The roof itself has significant features. The rafters all slant from
above towards the incoming visitor are fixed together and kept in
position by a "Madol Kurupawa", a kind of a giant catch pin the like of
which we do not find elsewhere.
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"Madol Kurupawa", pins 26 beams together.
Location
Embekka Devalaya is situated in Medapalata Korale of Udunuwara in Kandy district. The easiest way to get to Embekka is coming from Colombo - Kandy main road at Pilimathalawa. There is a clear sign post hosted by the Archaeological Department of Sri Lanka at the start of the road to Embekka. It is about 7 – 8 km (5.0 mi) from Pilimathalawa to Embekka from the Colombo - Kandy main road. On the Daulagala road proceed about a mile and you will come to the Gadaladeniya junction, which you can see the famous Gadaladeniya Viharaya
right at the junction. Both roads from the junction would take you to
Embekka. The shortest would be the one to the right, but if you wish to
see the Lankathilaka Viharaya you should take the road to the left. If you take the road to the left you can see the Embekka Ambalama
[3] just before you arrive at the Embekka Devalaya.
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Ruins of Embekka Ambalama can be seen near the Devalaya.
they are all copyrighted.
Embekke
Devalaya (temple), which is famous for its elaborate wood carvings, was
built in the 14th century during the reign King Wickremebahu III who
ruled in Gampola from 1357 to 1374. UNESCO has identified these carvings
as "the finest products of woodcarvings to be found in any part of the
world". Many of the carvings depict legends which describe the origin of
the devalaya. More images and info after the jump.
The temple was supposed to have
been built by queen Henakanda Bisobandara in association with a drummer
named Rangama. This temple, dedicated to Kataragama deviyo (god), is
supposed to have been housed in a three story building which no longer
exists. Currently, only the drummer's hall and the dancing hall remain
besides the temple itself. Each of the 32 columns in the drummers' hall,
shown in the first image, have square carvings on all four sides. The
columns end in a carving designed on a leaf (second image above). Every
carving on the columns is different and it is believed that they were
created by an artisan named Devendra Mulachari. Some of the square
shaped carvings found on the columns can be seen below. Click images for
larger versions.
External links
Drummers' Hall
Bull & Elephant
"Madol Kurupawa", pins 26 beams together.
Ruins of Embekka Ambalama can be seen near the Devalaya.
Embekke Devalaya (temple), which is famous for its elaborate wood carvings, was built in the 14th century during the reign King Wickremebahu III who ruled in Gampola from 1357 to 1374. UNESCO has identified these carvings as "the finest products of woodcarvings to be found in any part of the world". Many of the carvings depict legends which describe the origin of the devalaya. More images and info after the jump.
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