Embekke Devalaya

Embekke Devalaya, a small Buddhist temple, is located about 7 km southwest of Peradeniya Botanical Gardens and near Pilimathalawa. This temple was built in the 14th century by King Wickramabahu III in honor of the God of Katharagama. The most significant thing to see at the Embekke Devalaya are wooden pillars decoratively carved with birds, lions, swans, bulls, elephants, double-headed eagles, leaf patterns, wrestlers, soldiers, horse riders, dancers, mermaids, lotus motifs, and acrobats, which are believed to have come from a royal audience hall in the city. 128 carvings can be seen here, and a miniature version of the Kandy Esala Perahera is held here in September.