Hello my fellow Architecture+Design community lovers,
How are you guys? I hope you are all very healthy and happy. Recently, I traveled to Imaduwa city in the hope of fulfilling my personal purpose. While traveling on the Galle-Imaduwa road, I saw an old temple and stopped at the side of the road. I thought of seeing this beautiful temple on my way after accomplishing my purpose. This temple, located on a small hill surrounded by a beautiful paddy field, was very peaceful. A few Sunday school children stayed there to decorate the temple. Those children were not aware of the history of this temple. However, in this content I will introduce some attractive settings of Pilana Purana Sri Maha Viharaya.
After passing the Pilana Junction, about a hundred meters, you will find this temple on the left. The special feature of this temple is that on the left side is the worship part, and on the right side is the Dhamma school that provides Dhamma education and the building where the monks live. The entrance gate was designed close to the Chinese tradition. Eight pillars of light orange color with four concrete pillars on each side are arranged as supports. It is noteworthy that the eight concrete pillars were created as if they were immersed in eight pots of clay.
Concrete pillars are more common in Purana Sri Maha Vihara than in other temples. They could be seen on both sides of the steps leading into this temple located on a small hill. I found these to be somewhat similar to those of the Indian Sanchi region. Light bulbs are installed above.
Before entering the temple grounds I came across an abandoned building. Its roof is made in a triangular shape, and the shape of two butterfly wings is highlighted on both sides. When we went closer, we could imagine that it was the old library. It is located separately to preserve the silence. When I entered the upper temple floor, I was able to see a small room where pots were prepared to offer flowers to Buddha and God. This is the ideal place to add water to the flowers. Above it parallel stupa shapes were created. After that, you will see the place where the bell is located to alert the villagers for a special event or emergency in the temple. It resembles the shape of a Catholic church. The bell is located above it. The blue window goes well with the white. The upper part of the temple was too windy so the lights went out quickly. As an answer to that, a small chamber was made surrounded by glass and a brass lamp was installed in it. A steel tube is connected to the lamp through the glass, and coconut oil can be inserted from the outside.
The building housing the main Buddhist center of the Purana Sri Maha Vihara is the oldest site. It is also the most attractive place because of the sculptures and murals inside. Traditional Buddhist symbols can be seen at the top of the entrance. They are displayed here with the purpose of showing the respect shown by the villagers to the respective objects. After entering through the blue and white painted door, the first thing you will encounter is the seat where you can offer flowers, water etc. It is truly a place to be respected.
On the upper wall of the Buddhist center, there are very beautiful murals. Different designs can be seen in the Buddhist centers of any temple as well as similar shapes. Paintings with stories of Buddha were also created on the upper wall. During my recent visits to temples, I noticed that Buddha's character stories were created on the side walls. The lights hanging down from the top are striking. Four structures in the shape of the dragon pantheon are displayed in this building. The lord of the divine world was created from above and the lion sculpture was created from below.
A sculpture of a cobra is highlighted here to commemorate the cobra named Muchalinda who helped the Buddha attain enlightenment. We can get an idea from the creation of the sculpture which shows that demons also worked to hinder Buddha's enlightenment at that time. Murals that highlight nature can also be seen in abundance in the Buddhist center of the Purana Sri Maha Vihara. The Buddha's lower feet are also covered with glass and arranged like a model.
The devotees can set a good example by displaying sculptures of the punishments that people who do bad deeds will suffer in this life as well as in the next life. The need to go to temples for people who commit wrongdoings today arises because of such precedents. It is exemplary to show that listening to Buddha's sermons brings more relief.
Galle-Akurassa road can be used to reach Pilana Purana Sri Maha Vihara. It is located near the road so you can walk without much difficulty. No special changes can be seen in the stupa in the temple. Traditional Buddhist motifs can be seen around the stupa. Unlike other temples, there is not much space reserved for God here, probably because all the villagers are Buddhists. It can be concluded that it is an ancient temple because of the stone pillars seen in old temples.
