Excursions : Package 03

Ambekke Devalaya / Gadaldeniya Temple / Lankathilaka / Pinnawala Elephant orphanage

Ambekke Devalaya

The Ambekke devalaya, a temple famed for its wooden carvings, is nestled in the Udu Nuwara area of the Kandy district, and marks one of the many tourist attractions of the region. It was built during the reign of King Wickramabahu III for the worship of the ‘Katharagama deity’’ or ‘’Lord Murugan’’ as known by the Hindus. Only remains of the once ostentatious temple stand tall today, but the wooden carvings on the structure are thought to be some of the best in the world.

Gadaldeniya Temple

The Gadaldeniya temple, located in Diggala, was built atop a rock plateau in the year 1344 AD. The architecture of this temple reflects the South Indian heritage of the architect who designed it. The main shrine room houses a large statue of Lord Buddha painted in gold seated beneath a dragon arch ornamented with heavenly bodies and imagery of other gods.

Lankathilaka

A 14th century Buddhist temple located in the Hiriyapitiya village in Kandy, this was once a massive four tiered edifice built atop a granite foundation, but today only 3 stories remain. The building used to represent a cross with the structure radiating in all four cardinal directions. The walls of the remains still showcase the beautiful sculptures of the 14th century.

Pinnawala Elephant orphanage

The Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage is the sole attraction in the little village of Pinnawala. Established in 1975 in order to care for four orphaned baby elephants, today with more than 70 elephants residing there, the orphanage holds the largest captive herd of elephants in the world. The purpose behind the establishment of this orphanage was to provide a lifeline for the orphaned baby elephants as well as the injured and lost adult elephants.