Culture & Heritage
The Embekke Devalaya — commonly known as Ambakka Temple — is one of the finest examples of Kandyan craftsmanship in existence, renowned for its extraordinary carved wooden pillars depicting wrestlers, dancers, soldiers and mythological figures.
Built in the 14th century during the reign of King Vikramabahu III, the temple is dedicated to the god Kataragama (Skanda). The Drummers' Hall (Digge) is the centrepiece of the complex — a colonnade of 32 ornately carved pillars, each decorated with intricate low-relief carvings of astonishing quality and variety.
The carvings depict a remarkable range of subjects: wrestlers locked in combat, double-headed eagles, a woman nursing a child, soldiers on horseback, swans and lotus flowers. The detail and artistry of the work, achieved with simple hand tools over 600 years ago, continues to astound visitors and scholars alike.
The temple is easily combined with a visit to the nearby Lankathilaka Vihara and Gadaladeniya Temple, forming a classic Kandyan temple triangle that can be explored in a single half-day excursion from Coffee Bungalow.
Everything you need to know before planning your excursion to Embekke Devalaya.
Remove shoes before entering the temple. Visit on a full moon (Poya) day to experience the temple at its most atmospheric.
