Gadaladeniya Viharaya

This massive rock temple, located about 12km away from Kandy, was built during the reign of King Bhuvenakabahu IV. It was stylized by incorporating Indian, Polonnaruwa and even Indo-Chinese designs, making it an amalgamation of unique architectural styles.

There are two shrines that are of particular interest. The main shrine possesses a large statue of the seated Buddha meditating under an elaborate Makara Thorana (Dragon’s arch), while the secondary shrine is a large stupa surrounded by four smaller stupas housing seated Buddha statues and paintings of deities.