Degaldoruwa Temple

Some of the best examples of Kandyan era temple paintings can be found at the Degaldoruwa Cave Temple, built in 1771 by King Rajadi Rajasinha at Amunugama, a village near Kandy town. The cave was created where two massive rocks meet, one on top of the other—a combined height of 40ft—and includes a shrine room and antechamber. As well as the rich collection of paintings, the temple includes an 18ft reclining Buddha, two seated and four standing Buddha statues. The paintings themselves are based on the Jathaka Katha, with the Shrine Room ceiling depicting the Lord Buddha with the Mara and his forces, and the Mahi Kantawa Earth Goddess.