Gadaladeniya

Sri Lanka17 photographs2005

A mile or two north of Lankatilaka, there's another temple. It was completed in 1344 by a South Indian architect named Ganesvarachari. Like Lankatilaka, it combines Buddhist and Hindu elements. The geometry isn't so striking and the size is more modest, but the building is of stone, rather than brick, and seems to grow from the bedrock it sits on.

A stupa at the entrance is overshadowed by a massive and ungainly Kandyan roof.

A stupa at the entrance is overshadowed by a massive and ungainly Kandyan roof.

At the rear of the stupa platform, an emergent elephant.

At the rear of the stupa platform, an emergent elephant.

The temple sits on bedrock.

The temple sits on bedrock.

The view from the side and looking toward the front.

The view from the side and looking toward the front.

The temple, seen from the rear.

The temple, seen from the rear.

Entrance.

Entrance.

Dancers on the risers.

Dancers on the risers.

Riser closeup.

Riser closeup.

The style is South Indian, as one might expect.

The style is South Indian, as one might expect.

One of the two massive columns supporting the porch. It's more complex when viewed from the other side.

One of the two massive columns supporting the porch. It's more complex when viewed from the other side.

It's a tri-column monolith, one of two holding up the heavy stone-slab roof.

It's a tri-column monolith, one of two holding up the heavy stone-slab roof.

Base of one of the monoliths.

Base of one of the monoliths.

There are hints of Hinduism in these columns, for example this dancing Shiva on the right monolith.

There are hints of Hinduism in these columns, for example this dancing Shiva on the right monolith.

The image house.

The image house.

Inside, the temple has been wretchedly improved with fluorescent tubing, an accordion gate, and tile flooring.

Inside, the temple has been wretchedly improved with fluorescent tubing, an accordion gate, and tile flooring.

The central image, similar to the one at Lankatilaka.

The central image, similar to the one at Lankatilaka.

Off to the side, a Vishnu devale.

Off to the side, a Vishnu devale.