Colombo Trip Overview
The three famous temples in Gampola makes one of the best excursions from Negombo or Colombo. All of these temples predate the Kandyan kingdom to the fourteenth century. They show a distinct mixture of South Indian and Kandyan architecture. The two temples, known as Gadaladeniya and Lankatilaka, were built as temples combining Buddhist and Hindu faiths. The third temple (Embekke) is dedicated to a local version of Hindu god named Skanda. They are also examples of religious and cultural co-existence between the Sinhalese and South Indian ethnicities. Furthermore, visiting the three-temple loop is a perfect getaway to the real Kandyan countryside. All three temples are situated in the middle of lush green woods and paddy fields in the Gampola suburb.
• Hassle free two way hotel transfers
• Hear commentary from an expert guide
• Learn in depth about Sri Lankan culture and heritage
Additional Info
Duration: 11 to 13 hours
Starts: Colombo, Sri Lanka
Trip Category: Cultural & Theme Tours >> Cultural Tours
Explore Colombo Promoted Experiences
What to Expect When Visiting Colombo, Western Province, Sri Lanka
The three famous temples in Gampola makes one of the best excursions from Negombo or Colombo. All of these temples predate the Kandyan kingdom to the fourteenth century. They show a distinct mixture of South Indian and Kandyan architecture. The two temples, known as Gadaladeniya and Lankatilaka, were built as temples combining Buddhist and Hindu faiths. The third temple (Embekke) is dedicated to a local version of Hindu god named Skanda. They are also examples of religious and cultural co-existence between the Sinhalese and South Indian ethnicities. Furthermore, visiting the three-temple loop is a perfect getaway to the real Kandyan countryside. All three temples are situated in the middle of lush green woods and paddy fields in the Gampola suburb.
• Hassle free two way hotel transfers
• Hear commentary from an expert guide
• Learn in depth about Sri Lankan culture and heritage
Itinerary
This is a typical itinerary for this product
Stop At: Gadaladeniya Temple Junction, Galadadeniya Temple Rd, Embilmeegame, Sri Lanka
The Gadaladeniya temple is built on a rock. A South Indian architect with the patronage of King Buvanakabahu the fourth designed the temple. The gilded Buddha statue and the decorated central dome are colorful sights. A temple dedicated to god Vishnu is attached to the central Buddhist shrine. This annex shows a subtle difference in architecture, very similar to Hindu temples. Outside, the traditional Sacred fig tree and rock-cut pools can be seen as well.
Duration: 1 hour
Stop At: Lankatilaka Temple, Gadaldeniya Rd, Kandy 20000 Sri Lanka
Lankatilaka temple is the most impressive temple of the three-temple loop. It was built in fourteenth-century on a slanting rock, overlooking hills and paddy fields. Originally, it was four-storied with a superstructure to the existing ground floor. The design is again South Indian. However, many renovations and later additions have been made by succeeding royals. The design of Lankatilaka temple is similar to many shrines found in Tamil Nadu and Java islands. A set of well-preserved Kandyan murals adorn the walls in the interior image house.
Duration: 1 hour
Stop At: Embekke Devalaya, Embekka Village Three Kilometers from the Peradeniya Botanical Gardens, Handessa 20480 Sri Lanka
Embekke devale temple is a shrine dedicated to a local avatar of Hindu god Skanda. It was built in fourteenth-century under the guidance of King Vikramabahu the third. Embekke is the best place to see the beautiful Sri Lankan woodcarvings. There are 514 wood carved pillars fixed on stone bases. Some carvings depict events from popular folklore while others show mythical motifs. The temple consists of the sanctum (Garbha), the vestibule (Dig ge) and drummer’s hall (hevisi mandapa). Some of the famed Embekke wood carvings are entwined swans, double-headed eagle, woman growing out of a tree vine, the wrestlers, dancers, soldiers, lion, horse, graceful men and women, and mother nursing her baby.
Duration: 1 hour
