Embekke Devalaya
ඇම්බැක්කේ දේවාලය
A 14th-century wooden shrine whose many wooden pillars are carved with dancers, wrestlers, double-headed birds and other fine reliefs.
Embekke Devalaya is dedicated to the war god Kataragama and is famous for the carved wooden pillars of its drum hall. Each pillar bears several distinct reliefs: dancers, wrestlers, horsemen, double-headed eagles, entwined lotuses and more. It is regarded as the pinnacle of Sri Lankan woodcarving. Admission is a few hundred rupees. It is one of the three temples on the circuit, about 16 km from Kandy. Nearby are workshops producing traditional woodcarvings and bronze work.
Opening hours
About 08:00–17:00
Nearby sights
- Lankatilaka Vihara
- Gadaladeniya Vihara
- Ambuluwawa Tower
- Royal Botanic Gardens, Peradeniya
- Ceylon Tea Museum
- Kandy Municipal Central Market
- Bahirawakanda Vihara Buddha Statue
- Arthur's Seat Viewpoint