Situated Handess, Kandy District, It is about 3 miles off
the Daulagala road which turns right from near the 65th
mile-post on the Colombo-Kandy road.. The Ancient Temple was
developed during Gampola period Mid. 14th-Beg. 15th Cen.
Although not as well known as the Temple of the Tooth, the
Lankathillake Rajamaha Vihara is another interesting site in
the district of Kandy that is covered by Undiscovered Sri
Lanka Com
The Vihara, also known as the Blue Temple, is built on the
summit of a rock known as Panhalgala is the village of
Rabbegamuwa in the Udunuwara Division of the Kandy district.
The Temple which depicts both Buddhist and Hindu features,
is situated about 12 kilometers away from the Peradeniya
bridge in Kandy.
The Lankathillake Vihara is believed to have been
constructed between the 14th and 18th centuries and is said
to be one of the largest buildings to be constructed during
this period. Senalankadhikara, a warrior under King
Buwanekabahu IV (who reigned from 1344 to 1354), is
generally believed to have constructed the temple.
Its architectural features, sculpture, inscriptions on the
rock - face and paintings are distinctive to the Kandy
period. Some say the brick-built structure has feature
similer to those of the Polonnaruwa era except for the two
halls infront of the image house.
The wall built around the building has given it a rather
square shape instead of the usual rectangular shape.The
temple's long series of steps cut directly into the rock is
a peculiar architectural design. Beautiful paintings can be
seen all over the temple which also carries images of the 24
Buddhas and a huge seated statue of the Budda. The
three-storeyed building has carvings belonging to the Kandy
period.
Lankatilleke provides a magnificent view of the surrounding
country-side.
