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04 May 2018
Natha dewalaya is one of the hathara dewal in kandy.
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14 April 2018
Natha Devalaya is one of the Hatara Devale in the Kandy, the other three being the Vishnu, Kataragama and Patini. These four Devalayas have a long association with the Royal Palace ( Maha Vasala) and the Temple of Tooth Relic (Sri Dalada Maligawa) and has been venerated by Buddhists and Hindus alike from the inception. During the Kandy period, Natha was was the highest ranking deity, and then is was Vishnu, Kataragama and Patini in that order.
It is also believed that the “Natha” appeared in many forms in Sri Lanka in different regions and during different Eras. One of these forms is “Avaloktheeshvara” Bodhisattva who is a highly worshipped Bodhisattva in Mahayana Buddhism.
The “Natha Devale” is situated directly facing the Dalada Maligaya and this building is the oldest surviving structure from the Kandyan Kingdom. The devale was built by King Vickramabahu III in the 14th Century. The building has a Dravidian architecture with a “gedige” style. The structure has 3 stories but the 1st and the 2nd floor levels serves no practical purpose. The roof is a dome with a shape of a stupa. The Devale has two stupas and a recent excavations have revealed a circular shape basement probably a Mandapa which has been destroyed by invaders. The stupa near the Devale is thought to contain the bowl relic of Buddha and was broken in to by Relic Hunters in 1889.
The Image house facing east contains an ancient “siripathul gala” or a foot print of Buddha engraved on a stone. The Bodhi tree in this devale is a sampling of the Sri Maha Bodhi in Anuradhapura. The Vahalkada or the entrance to the area is a roofed building with two guard stones on the sides and a makara thorana on the top.
This Devale also plays a key role in the appointment of a new King. All newly appointed kings would come infornt of the image of the Natha and select a name by which he is to be known.
Primary Source : “Kandy”
By Central Cultural Fundresponse / report this review -
28 March 2018
Natha Devalaya is consider the oldest religious building of the Kandy sacred quadrangle. This building architecture goes to Early Kandyan period, probably the Gampola kingdom. Most Buddhist's peoples are beleave God Avalokiteshwara Natha become next Samma Sambudda, as a 'Maha Maithree Budda. This devala annual perehera going after the Dalada maliga perehera at the esala festival.
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28 December 2017
Dalada Maligawa separated by an imposing brick wall is the shrine of the Natha Deviyo.
There are three entrances to these premises. Two of which pass through roofed and ornamented entrance gateway buildings with doratupala figures on each side and a Makara torana on the top carrying the image of gods. While the other entrance is from the Maligawa premises.
The Natha Devala stands distinct with its crowning gedige (vaulted roof) from the buildings and architectural styles that surrounds it. This prominently Hindu architectural style has been built following the South Vijayangara style of the 14th century.
The Natha Devala building resembles the Gadaladeniya temple and the Adahanamaluwa Gedige. The Natha Devale is built on a platform of dressed stone, and is three storied, surmounted by a sikhara or dome in the shape of a stupa. The two upper stores are non functional.
The architecture of the Natha Devala has been an important aspect for dating the monument to pre Kandiyan times.
The Natha Devala has often been quoted to be the oldest building in the city of Kandy, indicating that the worship of god Natha in Kandy could go back to at least the 14th century or even earlier.
Scholars have quoted much evidence to support this fact.
Reference in the Chulawamsa to king Narendrasinghe has been interpreted to indicate to the existence of the Natha shrine, before the Kandiyan period proper
Further evidence in support of its early origins is found in the epigraphic records; the Sagama Inscription of Buvanekabahu V dated 1381 A.D. which refers to the god of Senkadagala Devindu as Nathaswami, indicating the power exerted by this divinity in the political field.
And a slab inscription on the wall of the Natha Devala supports the fact that the Devala was in existence in its present form in the 16th century. This refers to the ruler named Jayaweera Mahahun Tena making some land donation to the people who were instrumental in destroying Portuguese forces in their wars against Kandiyan rulers.
The Natha devala played a significant role with regard to Sinhalese royalty. It was at this devala that a Prince raised to the throne had the golden sword of state gird on him by the Frst Adigar at an auspicious hour. The sword placed at the foot of the Natha Deviyo, was picked up by the Prince who then proceeded to take his oath within the devale precincts pledging that he would rule the country according to the Dasa Raja Dharma, the ten attributes of a good King and always use the sword with righteousness.
John Davey in his account of the Interior of Ceylon writes that the ceremony of choosing a name and putting on the regal sword by the Prince who has ascended the throne of Kandy, was conducted at the Natha Devale. - amazinglankaresponse / report this review -
14 December 2017
Nice but pricey though
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10 November 2017
Go in the evening to watch the ceremony and fire show. Make sure legs and shoulders are covered to ensure you can get inside. Also, travel light as it is going to be very busy/packed inside.
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07 August 2017
Good palace
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23 July 2017
There are for major Devala belong to Temple of tooth . They are called Natha Devalaya, Wishnu Devalaya, Paththini Devalaya and Katharagama Devalaya. Only The katharagama Devalata situated outside the Maligawa premises . You could find the Natha Devalaya very first once get out from Maligawa main area.
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14 May 2017
One of the four devalaya within Maligawa boundary.
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30 April 2017
Beautiful scene
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23 November 2016
Beautiful place, especially evening you may feel the buddhism.
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28 October 2016
One of 4 devalas in the maligawa premisses
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29 June 2016
One of the four main devalas around the Temple of tooth relic.
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