Gandara Purana Vihara:

Samadhi Buddha statue to embellish ancient temple

by Nivanthi THILAKARATHNE

The foundation stone for the 60ft tall Samadhi Buddha statue and shrine room was laid recently at the Gandara Purana Vihara in Matara. The estimated cost of the project is Rs 50,000,000 and it will be completed within five years. The history of the Matara district goes back to the period before the arrival of legendary Prince Vijaya. Ancient viharas and other archaeological monuments found in the area show that the Matara district had been inhabited by highly civilised people - such as the Nagas.

Ven Kanumuldeniye  Upali thera

The Gandara Purana Vihara is at the Gandara East Grama Niladhari Division of Devinuwara Secretariat division. One can reach the vihara travelling along the Matara – Kataragama road. It is 11 kilometres away from the Matara city. According to legend, ‘Gandara’ is believed to have been the village through which people reached the kingdom.

Therefore, it had been called ‘Grama Dwara’ which means entrance to the village. Later it became ‘Gandora’ and subsequently ‘Gandara’.

Murals

There is evidence to prove that the vihara has been in existence since in 18th century. Murals in the shrine room of the vihara belong to the tradition of the Kandyan period. Its structure shows its archaeological and artistic value.

The shrine room parts known as mandapa, pradakshina pataya and garba gruhay. The pillars in the open area are believed to have been built later. One can enter the pradakshina pataya through the main entrance and later visit the garba gruhaya.

Tradition

Although the murals belong to the Kandyan period, some of them are influenced by the southern tradition. The murals of the shrine room appear to have been affected by the political, social, economic and cultural impact in the colonised era. Especially Matara was affected by Dutch and British rule.

Murals in the shrine room of the vihara

Don Juwan Dharmapala, the king of Kotte had bequeathed the kingdom to the Portuguese by a deed of gift and Matara was included in it. Although Sinhalese kings captured power from time to time, the Portuguese again ruled Matara in 1596.

They built a fortress in the following year. After the Portuguese, the Dutch captured the coastal areas of Sri Lanka. They captured Matara in 1645. Soon Matara became a commercial centre for the sale of cinnamon and elephants.

The coins found in the vihara premises belonged to the Dutch and British periods. A plate which belonged to the Dutch era is significant among other items. The plate has been painted with flowers.

Library

The library of the vihara has rare books including Tripitaka written on ola-leaves.

P.G.S. Weerasooriya in his book ‘Gandara’ says that Gandara Vihara was well known for certain miracles. According to him, a bhikkhu named ‘Sinhale Hamuduruvo’ who lived in the vihara two centuries ago was a clever charmer.

The present incumbent of the vihara, Ven Kanumuldeniye Upali thera said the Gandara vihara was famous for occult practices.

The Vihara was placed under the Department of Archaeology in 1987.