Daulagala: Shrine, Ambalama and Historic Architectural Forms

In Daulagala and the surrounding area are a small shrine, the Daulagala Ambalama and other historic buildings. Those interested in architectural forms and religious connections will find several points of interest: a freestanding shrine, the Ambalama’s articulated design and destinations north or south of the town.

Small Buildings and Clear Directions

The Daulagala Araththana Tampita Viharaya is a small, freestanding shrine on four granite pillars. It is tucked away behind shops in Daulagala. Its small size and four granite pillars give the building its distinctive character.

Nearby, Gadaladeniya lies north of Daulagala on a rocky hill. The low, elongated building dates from the 14th century. Its location and form provide two different points of reference: the hill describes its position in the landscape, while its elongated shape describes the building itself.

The Dewala of Embeke is also nearby, south of Daulagala, and is dedicated to Kataragama. The two directions are easy to distinguish when orienting yourself: Gadaladeniya is to the north, and the Dewala is to the south. Its dedication also gives the Dewala its own religious connection among the cultural sites.

A Closer Look at the Ambalama

The Daulagala Ambalama is an archaeological protected site, designated by a government order published on 30 August 1974. Its pillars are decorated with patterns and set into a foundation. The seating arrangement is also structured: the seats are on three levels, according to the social status of their users. This building thus brings together construction details and a status-based arrangement.

The roof rests on four granite pillars and is a double-pitched hipped roof in the Kandyan style. It is covered with flat clay tiles, which were customary on buildings of the Kandyan era. A comparison with the Tampita Viharaya reveals one specific similarity and one difference: both buildings have four granite pillars. At the shrine, they define the freestanding structure; at the Ambalama, they support the roof.

Choosing Accommodation for Your Planned Visits

An access road to Ambekke Devalaya leads from Daulagala via the Daulagala–Buwelikada Road. The travel connections therefore differ: for Gadaladeniya and the Dewala of Embeke, directions help you place them in the surrounding area; for Ambekke Devalaya, an access road via a named route is described.

When looking for a holiday rental in Daulagala, you could first consider which buildings you want to include in your itinerary: the shrine and Ambalama in town, Gadaladeniya to the north, the Dewala of Embeke to the south, or Ambekke Devalaya via the access road. This way, your choice is guided by the places that matter for your stay, rather than by a general idea of a central location. If you are mainly interested in comparing architecture, the roof shape, pillars, seating arrangement and the shrine’s freestanding form offer different points of interest. For choosing your destination, however, the location within the town and its orientation in relation to nearby destinations also matter.

Discover More Destinations

Discover more destinations: Nawalapitiya, Wattappola, Kandy, Deltota, Gatambe, Peradeniya, Hedeniya, Gampola

For the main travel overview: Kandy.