Nalanda Gedige, Matale (Sri Lanka)

Nalanda Gedige, Matale (Sri Lanka)

Nalanda Gedige is an ancient times Hindu Temple located at about 1 km east of the A9 route 20 km north of Aluvihare near Kandy (Matale, Sri Lanka). It is one of the remarkable  archaeological sites in Sri Lanka. It is a site that has been shifted about 35 years ago from its original place. The new place is just few kilometers away from the previous one. The reason of shifting the site is that the area went under water with the construction of a Reservoir nearby. It was constructed in between 8th to 10th century and was a Hindu Temple but later on it is been used by Buddhists. It is one of the earliest stone buildings.

Nalanda Gedige is designed like a Hindu temple with a Mandapa, an entrance hall, a short passage to a bare cello, and an ambulatory round the holy center though there is no existence of the Hindu Gods today in the temple. It is not much big in size as you can see in image above but worth visiting because of its history, its design, cleanliness. Granite walls are in the surrounding of main entrance and faces are carved on it.

• Few Facts about Sri Lanka :

1. Sri Lanka is all famous for tea so it is also known as tea capital of the world.
2. The very first female prime minister in the world is Sirimavo Bandaranaike of Sri Lanka.
3. Until 1972, Sri Lanka was known as "Ceylon".
4. Some organizations there still use that name "Ceylon".
5. Sri Lanka's national flag is said to be the oldest flag of the world.
6. Literacy rate is around 92% which is highest in the south Asia.
7. The official languages been spoken in Sri Lanka are Sinhala and Tamil however English is also been spoken widely.
8. The 'Na Tree' is the national tree of Sri Lanka.

• Best Time to visit :

January to July

• Entry Fee :

Free of cost.

• 10 other places you wouldn't like to miss :

1. Old village spice and herbal garden
2. Sembuwaththa Lake
3. Sri Muthumariamman Temple
4. Colombo
5. Yala national park
6. Trincomalee
7. Kalutara
8. Mannar
9. Kandalama
10. Sinharaja Forest Reserve

• You can book cheap flights to Matale by Clicking here