Pilimatalawa

Pilimatalawa (also spelled Pilimathalawa) is a small town situated about 10 km west of Kandy in the Kandy District of Sri Lanka's Central Province, and roughly 104 km from Colombo. Despite its modest size, the area carries considerable historical weight: its name is thought to derive from the Sinhala words pilima (statues) and thalawa (flat land), hinting at the sacred imagery that has shaped the landscape for centuries. Today, Pilimatalawa is best known as the gateway to a cluster of outstanding 14th-century religious monuments and as a centre for traditional Kandyan brassware craft.

What temples are near Pilimatalawa?

Three medieval temples in the immediate vicinity make Pilimatalawa one of the most rewarding short excursions from Kandy. Each was constructed during the Gampola period, when the hill-country kingdom produced some of the finest religious architecture on the island.

Gadaladeniya Temple

Perched on a broad rock outcrop at Diggala, Gadaladeniya Temple was consecrated in 1344 AD under King Bhuvanekabahu IV. The building was designed by the South Indian architect Ganesvarachchari, and the Dravidian-influenced stonework sets it apart from typical Kandyan shrines. An inscription carved into the temple walls records the date of construction, making it one of the better-documented medieval monuments in the country. The inner shrine houses a large seated Buddha figure, and the surrounding rock platform offers wide views across paddy fields and forested hills.

Lankatilaka Temple

A few kilometres away in Hiyarapitiya village, Lankatilaka was also commissioned by King Bhuvanekabahu IV and completed in 1344 AD. The temple rises as a multi-storeyed structure of dressed stone, its upper portions built in brick — a blending of South Indian and Sinhalese architectural traditions rarely seen elsewhere. The interior enshrines a towering standing Buddha image, its scale made all the more impressive by the relatively narrow nave. Lankatilaka was once part of a larger monastic complex; the remains of subsidiary shrines and a large gateway can still be traced around the site.

Embekka Devalaya

Embekka Devalaya is dedicated to the deity Kataragama and was built during the reign of King Vikramabahu III of Gampola (AD 1357–1374). The shrine is divided into three interconnected halls: the Garagha (sanctuary), the Digge or Dancing Hall, and the Hevisi Mandapaya (Drummers' Hall). It is the Drummers' Hall that draws the most attention: its wooden pillars are carved with an extraordinary range of motifs — soldiers, wrestlers, swans, double-headed eagles, and mythical figures — executed with a precision that has not been surpassed in Sri Lankan woodcraft. The roof structure itself, rising steeply above slender carved columns, is an engineering achievement of the period.

What else can I see around Pilimatalawa?

Nelligala International Buddhist Centre

Situated on the summit of Nelligala hill in nearby Muruthalawa, this centre was established in 2015 and occupies a commanding hilltop position. The complex includes a large Mahayana-style gilded Buddha statue, a golden stupa, and a sacred Bo tree. The site is accessible by road and rewards visitors with panoramic views over the surrounding countryside. It functions as both an active place of worship and a centre for meditation retreats.

Theological College of Lanka

Pilimatalawa is also home to the Theological College of Lanka, one of the principal ecumenical seminaries in South Asia. The college is not a typical tourist site, but its presence underscores the town's long association with centres of learning and religious study across different traditions.

Traditional Brassware

The town has a long-established tradition of Kandyan brassware production. Local workshops continue to produce oil lamps, ceremonial vessels, and decorative pieces using methods passed down through generations of craftspeople. Visiting a working workshop gives some insight into the craft techniques behind objects that appear in temples throughout the hill country.

How do I get to Pilimatalawa from Kandy?

Pilimatalawa lies approximately 10 km from Kandy along the Kandy–Colombo road (A1). By private vehicle or tuk-tuk the journey takes around 20–30 minutes depending on traffic. Regular intercity buses from Kandy's Goods Shed bus terminal also serve the route. From Colombo the drive is typically around two and a half to three hours via the Kandy Expressway (E01) and then onward toward Kandy on the A1.

The three main temples — Gadaladeniya, Lankatilaka, and Embekka — are spread across a radius of a few kilometres from the town centre and are most conveniently visited by private vehicle or tuk-tuk, as local road connections between the sites are narrow. The Esala Perahera Festival in Kandy draws large crowds to the entire district each year, so expect heavier traffic on the approach roads during that period, typically in July or August.

When is the best time to visit Pilimatalawa?

The Kandy District receives rainfall from both monsoon cycles, making it accessible year-round, though the driest and most settled weather typically falls between January and April. Visiting outside the heaviest rains — the south-west monsoon peaks between May and July — makes exploring outdoor sites and roadside viewpoints more comfortable. Mornings are generally clearer than afternoons, when cloud builds over the hills. Temple visits are welcome at any season, though footwear must be removed and shoulders covered at all three principal sites.

What is the best way to combine Pilimatalawa with a wider Kandy itinerary?

The three Gampola-era temples are a natural half-day extension of a Kandy visit, and most travellers combine them with the Temple of the Tooth Relic in Kandy city. A full-day circuit might begin at Gadaladeniya in the morning, continue to Lankatilaka and Embekka before lunch, and close with an afternoon at the Nelligala Buddhist Centre for the hilltop views. Because the sites are close together and the roads are narrow, hiring a private driver for the day is more practical than relying on public transport between individual attractions.

Those spending more time in the Central Province may also include Bluefield Tea Gardens for a look at the hill-country tea industry, or continue south toward the highlands.