Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
spice gardens. There are six trains daily on the pretty spur line between Matale and Kandy
(1st/2nd/3rd Class Rs 25/50/100, 1½ hours).
Nalanda Gedige
Nalanda Gedige
HINDU TEMPLE
( 7am-5pm)
The venerable Nalanda Gedige is built in the style of a South Indian Hindu temple and en-
joys a wonderfully peaceful location next to a tank (artificial lake) with prolific local bird-
life.
The temple consists of an entrance hall connected to a taller
shikara
(holy image sanctu-
ary), with a courtyard for circumambulations. There is no sign of Hindu gods, however,
and the temple is said to have been used by Buddhists. It's one of the earliest stone build-
ings in Sri Lanka.
The temple's richly decorated stone-block walls, reassembled from ruins in 1975, are
thought to have been fashioned during the 8th to 11th centuries. The plinth bears some
Tantric carvings with sexual poses - the only such sculptures in Sri Lanka - but before you
get excited, the carvings are weather-beaten and it's difficult to see much in the way of ac-
tion.
Getting There & Away
Nalanda Gedige is about 25km north of Matale and 20km before Dambulla, 1km east of
the main road; look out for the sign near the Km 49 post. Anuradhapura buses from Kandy
or Matale will drop you at the turnoff.
Dambulla
066 / Pop 72,500
Dambulla's famed Royal Rock Temple is an iconic Sri Lankan image - you'll be familiar
with its spectacular Buddha-filled interior long before you arrive in town. Despite its
slightly commercial air this remains an important holy place and should not be missed.
