Hulugalla Tampita Viharaya

Hulugalla Tampita Viharaya

Rock tends to timber in the design of the Tampita Viharaya, meaning a temple on pillars. THe Hulugall Tampita Viharaya is  Timber structure elevated on a 16-pillared monolithic foundation. An ornate wooden door acts as the main entrance to a raised inner chamber. Religios murals and Buddha statues take refuge in the sacred in covered with lotus flowe patterns. A need to protect the wooden facade and interior artworks against whiteants, woodworm and dampness informed the Tampita stuctural design. Kandyan aestheics influenced its verenda, refters and shutters, built to further the enclosed shrine. THe Tampita Viharaya vernacular tradition resembles that of the Ambalama rest house where both rely on rock foundations.