Sri Natha Devalaya - ශ්රී නාථ දේවාලය
Sri Natha Devalaya - ශ්රී නාථ දේවාලය things to do, attractions, restaurants, events info and trip planning
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The story of the historic Nath Temple site - the oldest sacred building in Kandy Today it is about the oldest sacred building in Kandy. That means this post is about the Natha Temple in front of Dalada Palace. This Natha temple site is a very historical place. The previous kings considered this land as a victory land. Therefore, our kings were crowned in this Natha temple area. When someone becomes a king, they use other names. So the names of those kings are also placed in the Natha temple grounds. Accordingly, this Natha temple site was used to name every king who reigned over the mountain. One of the names kept in a clay pot in the inner palace is followed by the rituals in the morning and after the king receives it, the king's name is given. There is also a separate mandapam in this temple grounds for crowning the king. The foundation of that pavilion can still be seen today. A special feature of this mandapa is that the Vahalkada is facing north, the pagoda and bodhi are facing east, and the temple is facing south. Accordingly, the previous kings ritually put on their crowns, leave the northern Vahalkadin and pick up the sword from the Vishnu temple. Because Lord Natha is a non-warrior deity, the place of the sword in the Vishnu temple is special. Sengkandapura or Kandy was built along with the Natha Temple. It was during the reign of King Vikramabahu III who ruled Gampola in the fourteenth century. Lord Natha is considered to be the future Buddha, Maitri Bosatha. The Natha temple building built for Lord Natha is centuries old. Accordingly, this temple is the first and oldest building in the city of Kandy. This temple is completely made of stone as a gedi house in the South Indian Pallava tradition. According to this, the main temple built for Lord Nath is Sri Nath Temple in Kandy. It is also mentioned that the name Senkada Pura of Mahnuwara was due to a monk named Senkada who lived in this temple area. The land belonging to this Natha temple, Senkanda Bamuna has been identified as a victory land. Bamuna saw a strange incident of a jackal chasing a rabbit and recognized this place as a place of victory. Because Senkanda Bamuna recognized that land of victory, that city and the whole kingdom were called Senkandagalapura. After this incident, King Wickramabahu III of Gampola had the Natha temple built there. Also, until the main temple was built, a small chamber was built in that place and the Natha Deva's daughter was buried there. The book "Avalokitesvara Natha" mentions about Liu Holtme that the Natha Deva statue receiving the offerings of Natha Devala Gedi is older than the Natha Deva of Gedi. Next to the Natha temple, the village temple is the small temple that can be seen even today. There are some other paintings on the wall paintings of this village temple. They were painted by the Dutch. You can still see those murals today. They painted these paintings during their stay at this place until they received a summons from the Dutch king who was coming to meet our kings. Most of those paintings are sailing ships. Later, it is said that the king brought his palace, city, etc. to this place with the construction of the Natha temple. The King has built the city of Kandy in the form of twelve cycles. You can see that when you look at the old streets. But the later English have changed it. The main wahalkada entering the temple grounds is one of the oldest wahalkadas in Kandy city. Two watchtowers, a dragon pantheon on the top, and a tiled roof can be seen in this Vahalkade. Not only that, the pagoda where a relic of Patra, which Dalada took with him, was placed, the historical Valbodhi, the cave where iron was smelted to make weapons, the well where the water was taken for offering to Dalada, the bell tower, the reclining Buddha statue made of granite, Pinthalia made of black stone, There are many antiquities found in Sri Patula, Gal Uluwassa, etc. excavations in this Natha temple area. The place where the rice was taken for the offerings of Lord Natha was called the God's place.
Isuru Abeygunawardana
00
Dalada Maligawa separated by an imposing brick wall is the shrine of the Natha Deviyo. There are three entrances to these premises. Two of which pass through roofed and ornamented entrance gateway buildings with doratupala figures on each side and a Makara torana on the top carrying the image of gods. While the other entrance is from the Maligawa premises. The Natha Devala stands distinct with its crowning gedige (vaulted roof) from the buildings and architectural styles that surrounds it. This prominently Hindu architectural style has been built following the South Vijayangara style of the 14th century. The Natha Devala building resembles the Gadaladeniya temple and the Adahanamaluwa Gedige. The Natha Devale is built on a platform of dressed stone, and is three storied, surmounted by a sikhara or dome in the shape of a stupa. The two upper stores are non functional. The architecture of the Natha Devala has been an important aspect for dating the monument to pre Kandiyan times. The Natha Devala has often been quoted to be the oldest building in the city of Kandy, indicating that the worship of god Natha in Kandy could go back to at least the 14th century or even earlier. Scholars have quoted much evidence to support this fact. Reference in the Chulawamsa to king Narendrasinghe has been interpreted to indicate to the existence of the Natha shrine, before the Kandiyan period proper Further evidence in support of its early origins is found in the epigraphic records; the Sagama Inscription of Buvanekabahu V dated 1381 A.D. which refers to the god of Senkadagala Devindu as Nathaswami, indicating the power exerted by this divinity in the political field. And a slab inscription on the wall of the Natha Devala supports the fact that the Devala was in existence in its present form in the 16th century. This refers to the ruler named Jayaweera Mahahun Tena making some land donation to the people who were instrumental in destroying Portuguese forces in their wars against Kandiyan rulers. The Natha devala played a significant role with regard to Sinhalese royalty. It was at this devala that a Prince raised to the throne had the golden sword of state gird on him by the Frst Adigar at an auspicious hour. The sword placed at the foot of the Natha Deviyo, was picked up by the Prince who then proceeded to take his oath within the devale precincts pledging that he would rule the country according to the Dasa Raja Dharma, the ten attributes of a good King and always use the sword with righteousness. John Davey in his account of the Interior of Ceylon writes that the ceremony of choosing a name and putting on the regal sword by the Prince who has ascended the throne of Kandy, was conducted at the Natha Devale. - amazinglanka
Damith Sriyantha (දමිත් ශ්රියන්ත)
10
This is one of main devote of the four devotes participate to the Esala Perahara. This devote is the older than the temple of tooth relic . It is in front of the temple of the tooth (actually it has built in front of the palace after the tooth relic brought to the kandy temple build for the tooth relic) This devote has been formed behalf of god Natha. Most people believe that the god Natha is Bodhisathwa Awalokitheshwara who will be next Buddha.The ancient paintings of god Nath and the ancient paintings and statues in Tibbet and Japan of Bodhisathwa Awalokitheshwara looks like same.
Vasantha
10
City Centre is the Temple of the Tooth where one of Buddhas Tooth is treasured in this temple from the 14th Century. Make sure that you visit the World Buddhist Museum as well! There are daily ceremonies and annual rituals. Take your time in the temple there is a lot to see and a lot of spiritual energy. The night ceremony is really atmospheric. Sometimes other Buddhist monks are visiting the ceremonies. The guides will help you to understand the traditions which are performed in this temple.
TrainerDem
10
Sri Nath Devalaya is a truly enchanting destination, well worth the ticket price and the time required for a visit. The ambiance is exceptional, and the local community holds it in high regard as a place of great sanctity. To show your respect, it's advisable to dress appropriately, and if you wish to blend in with the locals, wearing white attire would be a fitting choice.
Daniyal Saleem
40
There are for major Devala belong to Temple of tooth . They are called Natha Devalaya, Wishnu Devalaya, Paththini Devalaya and Katharagama Devalaya. Only The katharagama Devalata situated outside the Maligawa premises . You could find the Natha Devalaya very first once get out from Maligawa main area.
Dilan Keshawa
10
Nearby Attractions Of Sri Natha Devalaya - ශ්රී නාථ දේවාලය
Sri Dalada Maligawa
Sacred City of Kandy
Kataragama Devalaya
Kandy Lake
Asgiri Maha Vihara pirivena
Royal Palace Park
Temple of the Tooth Museum
International Buddhist Museum
Sahas Uyana
Malwatu Chapter Monastery

Sri Dalada Maligawa
4.7
(11.3K)
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Sacred City of Kandy
4.7
(5.5K)
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Kataragama Devalaya
4.4
(779)
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Kandy Lake
4.6
(521)
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Nearby Restaurants Of Sri Natha Devalaya - ශ්රී නාථ දේවාලය
Cafe Nuwara
Balaji Dosai
Fab Ceylon
Vito Wood Fired Pizza
Pizza Hut - Kandy
Hideout Lounge
Slightly Chilled Lounge, Sports Bar & Restaurant
Cafe The Vibe
Devon Captains Table
The Golden Curry Restaurant

Cafe Nuwara
4.6
(1.8K)
$$
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Balaji Dosai
4.1
(1.7K)
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Fab Ceylon
4.3
(1.6K)
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Vito Wood Fired Pizza
4.6
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Basic Info
Address
7JVR+G5W, Temple Square, Kandy 20000, Sri Lanka
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Phone
+94 812 222 608
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Overview
4.7
(107 reviews)
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cultural
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Description
The Nàtha Devàla is a shrine located on the terrace, in front of the Royal Palace complex in Kandy. It is said to have been in existence even before the Tooth Relic was brought to Kandy. The oldest extant structure in Kandy, it is said to have been built by King Vikramabahu III in the 14th century.
attractions: Sri Dalada Maligawa, Sacred City of Kandy, Kataragama Devalaya, Kandy Lake, Asgiri Maha Vihara pirivena, Royal Palace Park, Temple of the Tooth Museum, International Buddhist Museum, Sahas Uyana, Malwatu Chapter Monastery, restaurants: Cafe Nuwara, Balaji Dosai, Fab Ceylon, Vito Wood Fired Pizza, Pizza Hut - Kandy, Hideout Lounge, Slightly Chilled Lounge, Sports Bar & Restaurant, Cafe The Vibe, Devon Captains Table, The Golden Curry Restaurant
