Gangaramaya Raja Maha Vihara, Lewalla, Kandy, Sri Lanka.

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Bordering 'Udawaththekale' on the road to Lewalla this historic temple has a few old buildings and temple paintings of the 'Kandyan Era' of Sri Lankan history.

The Dalada Maligawa environs, Kandy, Sri Lanka.

The 'Queens bath' bordering the Kandy lake across the road.. 

The promenade bordering the Kandy Lake.

The Queens bath was the building where the female members of the royal household of the Kandyan Kings went for bathing. It housed a library but is now used as a Police Station.

Dalada Maligawa, Kandy, Sri Lanka, scenes.

The Audience Hall.

Incense-stick burners.

Smoke from burning incense-sticks.

Entrance and exit stairways.

The average worshipper at the Maligawa does not pause to see these sights. If you linger you will see beauty at every turn.

Artifacts inside the 'Dalada Maligawa', Kandy, Sri Lanka.

A stylized female

A mythical bird

The 'inverted lotus' design on a bell-tower.

Inside the 'Dhana Saalawa' where alms are given to the priests

The 'Inverted Lotus' motif inside the Dalada Maligawa, Kandy, Sri Lanka.

The 'Inverted Lotus' motif on pillars, old and new, is found in profusion inside the Dalada Maligawa.

Dalada Maligawa, Kandy, Sri Lanka

Crowd of white-clad devotees outside the Dalada Maligawa, Kandy.

Looking out from the Maligawa

The first picture shows the garden in the former Governors Residence in the distance. Now it is called the President's residence. The second picture was taken from a balcony on the first floor looking towards the Kandy Lake. You can see the Queen's bath now converted to a Police Station.

Embakka Dewala, Kandy, Sri Lanka.

Notice-board at the entrance to the Dewala

An 'Ambalama' - resting hall on the way to Embekka Dewala.

Resting places for wayfarers called 'Ambalama' in Sihalese from the Tamil word 'Ambalam' was a feature of life in old Sri Lanka. Journey by foot or bullock cart needed these places where pilgrims could rest, sleep or have their meals.