Tampita Vihara, an archaeological site left to rack and ruin

A A L Dias- Matale District group corr.

The Tampita Vihara which is located in the Mahawehera Purana Vihara premises dating back to the 17th century in Galewela Divisional Secretariat area in Matale, is in a dilapidated state for many years.

Chief Incumbent of the Temple Ven Naranpanawa Pannasara Thera

A mural in decay

According to legend, this historical Tampita Vihara had been built by a Bhikkhu with the assistance of divisional heads and other devotees.

The statues and murals had been created by the same Bhikku during the Kandyan era.

This area has been declared an Archaeological site. But the Archaeological Department had not made any attempt to do any reconstruction work on it.

The statues are partly damaged with some parts falling apart. The wall pictures as well as the hood pictures have been discoloured, and worn out. Chief Incumbent of the temple, Ven Naranpanawa Pannasara Thera, said that this historical Tampita Vihara belonged to the Kandyan era dating to nearly 300 years.

The statues and murals were decaying. The Archaeological Department had not made any attempt to preserve them, though the Department had declared it as an archaeological site.