Embekka Devalaya Temple
Built in the 14th Century
Embekka Devalaya Temple is a temple well-known for the intricate wood carvings situated in an area known as Udunuwara in the Kandy district. Embekka Devalaya was built during the time of the Gampola Kingdom around 1370 by the great King Vikramabahu. The wooden carvings are acknowledged by UNESCO as one of the ‘most outstanding’ sculptures on wood.
The Embekka Devalaya is a historic 14th-century temple in the Kandy District of Sri Lanka, built by King Vikramabahu III of the Gampola Era and dedicated to the guardian deity Kataragama Deviyo.
It is internationally renowned for its Drummers’ Hall (Hevisi Mandapaya), which features some of the finest and most intricate wood carvings in Asia, including 32 exquisitely detailed wooden pillars, each with unique designs, and the remarkable structural feat of the Madol Kurupuwa, a single giant wooden pin that interlocks 26 rafters of the roof without the use of metal.
The temple complex is divided into three main sections:
- Sanctum (Garagha): The innermost shrine.
- Dancing Hall (Digge): A space traditionally used for performances.
- Drummers’ Hall (Hevisi Mandapaya): The main attraction, celebrated for its hundreds of carvings featuring human figures, dancers, wrestlers, mythical creatures (like the or entwined swans, and the elephant-bull hybrid), and various flora designs.
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Embekka Devalaya Temple