Ancient sites · Matale
Nalanda Gedige: The Stone Shrine at the Island’s Centre
By Days of Iru and Opa
Nalanda Gedige is a compact, finely built stone shrine between Matale and Dambulla, notable for combining Buddhist purpose with South Indian Hindu (Pallava) architectural style. It stands at what is often cited as the geographic centre of the island.
The architecture
The all-stone structure is carved in a style rarely seen elsewhere in Sri Lanka, with intricate detailing. It was relocated stone by stone when a reservoir flooded its original site.
The setting
It sits picturesquely beside the water of the Bowatenna reservoir, a quiet and often empty stop.
Nearby
It is right on the road between Kandy, Matale and Dambulla, easy to fold into a Cultural Triangle trip.
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