Degaldoruwa Raja Maha Viharaya

What is this site?

Rock-cut cave monastery fronted by a timber pillared hall, celebrated for housing the definitive collection of 18th-century Kandyan Sittara narrative murals.

Why it matters

Masterpiece of late medieval Kandyan art, featuring celebrated paintings executed by Silvatgama Nilame and Devaragampola Silvat-Tenne.

Description

Excavation and mural programs commenced in 1771 under Kirti Sri Rajasinha and reached completion under Rajadhi Rajasinha, housing a 12-cubit recumbent rock-cut Buddha. Associated patrons (as supplied): King Kirti Sri Rajasinha, King Rajadhi Rajasinha, Moratota Dhammakkandha Thero. Key features to look for: Mara Parajaya (Defeat of Mara) ceiling rock painting; Vessantara Jataka continuous narrative registers; Twelve-cubit monolithic recumbent Buddha statue; Mortise-and-tenon outer wooden vestibule structure.

Photos

Historical and scholarly sources

1. Reference as supplied in project dataset (pending verification): Protected Cave Hermitage Cadastre

Visiting responsibly

Dress modestly at religious sites, remove shoes and hats where requested, never climb on monuments or pose with your back to Buddha images, and follow guidance from custodians and the Department of Archaeology.

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