Overview
Built in the 14th century during the reign of King Vikramabahu III, Embekka Devalaya is renowned for the finest wooden carvings in Sri Lanka. 128 distinctive carvings on its pillars and ceiling — dancers, mythical animals, plants — represent the pinnacle of Kandyan-era woodcraft and have earned UNESCO recognition. About 30 minutes by car from Kandy, it pairs beautifully with the nearby Lankathilaka and Gadaladeniya temples on a 'three temples' loop. Admission LKR 500. About 30 minutes by tuk-tuk from Kandy.
Opening Hours
Daily 07:00-19:00
Travel Tips
Negotiate a half-day three-temple tuk-tuk tour. Cover knees and shoulders.
Hotels near Embekka Devalaya
Hotels and guesthouses in Kandy, Embekka, Kandy
Other attractions in Kandy
Temple of the Tooth (Sri Dalada Maligawa)
Sri Lanka's holiest Buddhist site, enshrining a relic tooth of the Buddha. A UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Royal Botanical Gardens (Peradeniya)
A 60-hectare tropical botanical garden especially renowned for its orchid collection.
Kandy Lake
A man-made lake at the heart of the city, perfect for strolls and quiet reflection.
Bahirawakanda Vihara Buddha Statue
A 27 m white Buddha statue overlooking Kandy city.
Kandyan Dance Performance
Sri Lanka's traditional Kandyan dance performed nightly for visitors.
Udawattakele Forest Reserve
A tropical rainforest reserve right behind the Temple of the Tooth.
Kandy Municipal Market
Kandy's traditional market brimming with Sri Lankan spices and tropical fruit.