Rambadagalla Viharaya at Kurunegala – කුරුණෑගල රම්බඩගල්ල විහාරය

There are very few historical records related to the Rambadagala temple.

Looking at the original form of this temple, it can be thought that it was a temple built in the early Kandy period.

However, looking at the murals and statues in the old vihara house of this temple, it is clear that they were built after 1850 or early 1900.

From these paintings and sculptures, the style of Mr. Sarlis belonging to the Colombo period or the Renaissance period is clearly seen.

Although there is no evidence that he worked in this temple, it is clear from these sculptures and paintings that his style has been completely followed.

A talented artist who worked in Buddhist temples all over the island...

An artist of the Colombo era (modern era) ● The artist who pioneered to popularize Buddhist paintings among the Sinhala Buddhist people instead of the images of the British Queen that were popular in Sri Lanka during the colonial period. - Growing on Piyum, Siddhartha Kumarotpatthiya, Shilpa display, Siddha and Yasodara Sarana Mangalya, Sivali Maha Arahant are some of his creations. ● Sarlis artist's paintings can be found under two parts. Litho Prints Temple Paintings - Colombo Mali'gakanda Temple, I'duruwe Yalagama Temple, Matugama Panthiya Sri Mangala Temple, Pothupitiya Purvaramaya ● Art influences seen in his paintings - Western / Western naturalistic painting style inspiration Eastern Indian costumes

M. was inspired by the paintings of the Virgin Mary and the sacrifice of Jesus drawn by Renaissance painters. Common features of Sarlis's paintings are good composition, perspective, light-distant, three-dimensional features, use of bright colors, elaborate decoration, western natural style inspiration.

In the tranquil village of Rambadagalla in Ridigama in the Kurunegala District, a huge stone sculpture is taking shape. This is no ordinary sculpture but one modeled on the Bamiyan Buddha in Afghanistan which was destroyed by the Taleban in 2001.

Why a replica of the Barmiyan Buddha is being sculpted in the Kurunegala hillside is itself a tale worth relating. It was in the aftermath of the the Taleban’s act, that outraged the world, that the agitated village youth met their priest demanding that some action be taken. Ven. Egodomulla Amaramoli Thera gave them a patient hearing and resolved to harness the feelings of the youth. The next day, he called a meeting at which he suggested the building of a replica of the Bamiyan Buddha in the village itself to show the world a positive response to a tragic act. The children of the village, spurred into action, collected Rs. 1,358 and handed it over to the Thera.

Such were the beginnings of this mammoth project – the building of a 67.5 foot granite statue which has now attracted the support of people from different communities and all walks of life. Hearing that a group of Indian sculptors had just completed work at Ramboda, the Thera contacted Colombo businessman D. Easwaren who enlisted the help of architect R. Sivaram to produce a blueprint. Former Indian High Commissioner Nirupama Rao herself visited the site and this was followed by a Rs. 2.5 million donation from the Indian High Commission to the project.

The Rambadagalla Buddha statue was finally completed and ceremoniously opened on the 30th April 2015 by the president Maitreepala Sirisena making this the largest largest sedentary Buddha Statue carved out of granite in the world.

The Rambadagalla Vihara is about 25 km from the Kurunegala Town. Travel on the Kandy Road from Kurunegala up to Mallawapitiya junction. This is about 5km form the Kurunegala town. Turn off to Keppitigala Road and Travel another 20 km along this road. On the way you will also pass Ridigama where the famous Ridi Viharaya is located. The Rambadagalla village is about 5 km pass Ridigama. The temple is beside the road itself as soon as pass the village center of Rambadagalla.

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