A small, complete ancient stone temple blending Buddhist and Hindu architecture, near the geographic centre of Sri Lanka.

Overview

Nalanda Gedige is a compact, beautifully proportioned stone shrine standing beside the Bowatenne reservoir, north of Matale. Built entirely of stone in the South Indian Pallava style, it is unusual for fusing Hindu architectural form with Buddhist use, and its plinth carries some faded Tantric carvings. Its reputed location at the island's geographic centre adds to its aura.

History

The building is dated to roughly the 8th to 10th centuries AD and was rediscovered in 1893. When the Bowatenne reservoir threatened to submerge it, the entire structure was dismantled and rebuilt stone by stone on higher ground in the 1980s.