Day 4: - Three temple, arts and craft
In the morning we proceed to Pilimathalawa and head over to the Three temples. On the way we make a stop over at a Handicrafts work shop where they make brass ornaments and weave mats.
Lankathilaka Viharaya (Temple)
This temple was built by King Bhuvanekabahu IV, who reigned from 1341 to 1351 A. D.He entrusted the construction of this temple to his Chief Minister named Senalankadhikara, who successfully finished the works of this temple. The architecture of the temple was designed by a South Indian architect named Sathapati Rayar. According to the Professor Senarath Paranavithana, Sathapati Rayar designed this temple using Sinhalese architecture of Polonnaruwa era and also with other Dravidian and Indo Chinese architectural patterns. It is considered as the most magnificent architectural edifice created during the Gampola era.
Gadaladeniya Temple
Gadaladeniya Temple is sited on a rock, was built by king Buvanekabahu IV and completed in 1344 AD. It has a rooted dagoba and many splendid stone carvings, ornamental pillars and panels with figures of dancers and musicians. A moonstone marks the entry to the main shrine.
Embekke Temple
Embekke Temple is a deistic shrine dedicated to God kataragama. This is a superb example of architecture in wood, and was established by King Vikramabahu in 1371 AD. The wood art of this temple is astounding - dancers, swans, creepers, soldiers on horseback, floral emblems, double headed eagles, wrestlers, etc. Special treasures are the doorways of sandalwood and the palanquin used by King Rajasinghe II.
Overnight - Queens Hotel Kandy