Dhowa Rock Temple or Dowa Raja Maha Viharaya (Sinhala: දෝව රජ මහා විහාරය) is a heritage listed rock temple in Sri Lanka, located in the central mountains of the Uva Province. It is adjacent to Dhowa, a small village situated on the Badulla-Bandarawela main road (approximately 7.5 km (4.7 mi) north of Bandarawela). The temple is 210 km (130 mi) east of Colombo and 120 km (75 mi) south of Kandy.[2]
| Dhowa rock temple | |
|---|---|
දෝව රජ මහා විහාරය | |
 Exterior of the temple | |
| Religion | |
| Affiliation | Buddhism |
| District | Badulla |
| Province | Uva Province |
| Location | |
| Location | Dhowa, Bandarawela, Sri Lanka |
  Shown within Sri Lanka | |
| Geographic coordinates | 6°51′20.46″N 81°1′15.52″E / 6.8556833°N 81.0209778°E |
| Architecture | |
| Type | Buddhist Temple |
History
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The temple is believed to have been constructed by King Valagamba in the first century BC and is one of many temples built by the king while taking refuge in Uva Province after an army from South India invaded the Anuradhapura Kingdom.[3] The temple dates back over 2000 years.[4][5]
On 1 November 1996 was formally recognised by the government as an archaeological protected monument. The designation was declared under the government Gazette number 948.[6]
Attractions
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The temple is famous for its large 12 m (38 ft) high unfinished Buddha image, which is carved into the vertical granite rockface. The image is an example of Mahayana sculpture.
Paintings
editThe image house, which is located inside the cave contains numerous colourful murals and painting of Buddha. The entrance to the image house is flanked by two guardian statues, one with an elephant in its mouth and the other with a bull in its mouth. They are reported to be, two Rakshasa leaders, Watuka and Kuvera.[7]
See also
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References
edit- ^ "Protected Monument List 2012-12-12" (PDF). Department of Archaeology. 12 December 2012. Archived from the original (PDF) on 23 November 2018. Retrieved 27 March 2016.
- ^ Dowa Cave Temple
- ^ "Dowa Raja Maha Viharaya". Lakpura LLC. Retrieved 7 July 2022.
- ^ The secrets of Dhowa Raja maha Viharaya
- ^ Caving in Sri Lanka
- ^ "Gazette". The Gazette of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka. 948. 1 November 1996.
- ^ Bhaskar, V. S. (2009). Faith & Philosophy of Buddhism. Gyan Publishing House. pp. 277–278. ISBN 9788178357225.
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