Rock Temple

         Wayamba contains no less than ten other ancient Buddhist rock temple, mostly with century B.C. roots, with wall and ceiling frescoes, colossal Buddha images, stone inscriptions and sculptures dating from the early medieval to the  century ( Kandyan ) period. Among these temples which make a dramatic impact, are full of the atmosphere of a far-age  and well worth visiting are Paramakanda, with its curious  century A.D. rock inscription on the fishing tax, Wellagala, with its remarkable wall paintings and gigantic ( 32 cubit ) reclining Buddha, Madawala, which has a beautiful entrance arch carved with mythical beasts and the Resvehera ( Sasseruwa), famed for its stunning 40-ft, rock cut standing Buddha, of century vintage. The Raja maha Vihara at Nagolla has priceless ancient manuscripts and bronzes, Kebellelena, old wall paintings and gigantic sculptures and at the Ridi Vihara ( the Silver Temple ) visitors will see and  century wall paintings, an exquisite medieval doorway with intricate carving of ivory inlay, a curious pavement inside the main sanctuary, of Delft tiles on Biblical themes, (the gift of an  century Dutch Consul ) and a beautifully cared moonstone ( stepping stone ) of the pre-  century classical period. Most rock temples also have entrancing views of the surrounding countryside, perched as they are on precipitous rock summits.

         The North-Western Province also has a number of  medieval temples and edifices raised on pillars or small boulders such as Kahatawilagedera Tampita Vihare, the Dorabawila, Bihalpola Vijayarama, Budumuttewa and Dalukgolla temples. All of them contain medieval period wall paintings, sculpture, carvings, woodwork, images and distinctive period architecture and are worth visiting. The beautiful century wayside rest-hall, the Panavitiya Ambalama is an architectural gem, decorated with twenty eight exquisitely carved wooden pillars and ornate beams.