A lotus-shaped Dagoba at Nandimithra Nawawanguwa Raja Maha Viharaya gives Pallama a distinct architectural focus. Its shape and a strikingly large-looking base ring take center stage. There is also a tradition connecting the temple with Nandimithra. These are two different perspectives for understanding the site culturally: the shape of the Dagoba and the temple’s history.

The architectural form and its context

A 2021 description calls the Dagoba lotus-shaped, identifies this form as unusual in Sri Lanka, and describes the base ring as strikingly large-looking. These two features refer to different scales of the structure: the lotus shape describes the Dagoba as a whole, while the base ring refers to a single ring-shaped element at its lower part. This distinguishes the overall form from the striking size of a specific structural element. For those interested in architecture, this offers a clearly defined subject that goes beyond simply mentioning a temple.

The description of the form as unusual concerns lotus-shaped Dagobas in Sri Lanka; the comment on size applies only to the base ring of this Dagoba in Pallama. This offers two suitable scales for cultural consideration: comparing an architectural form across the country and paying attention to a single detail at the site. Those interested in architecture can use this to pinpoint what makes it distinctive.

Tradition and historical context

According to tradition, the temple was built by Nandimithra. He is described as one of the ten great warriors (dasa maha yodhayas) in King Dutugemunu’s army. This account concerns the construction of the temple and connects the site with a named figure from tradition. It should be distinguished from the dating attributed to the Dagoba.

The head of the temple attributes the Dagoba to the reign of King Dutugemunu. The statements therefore refer to different things: tradition names Nandimithra as the builder of the temple, while the dating concerns the Dagoba. The fact that both references mention King Dutugemunu does not make them a single claim. To understand Pallama’s history, the builder tradition and the attributed reign remain two separate points.

Cultural highlights in Pallama

If you are considering Pallama for a cultural focus, you can weigh two interests: the lotus-shaped architectural form, unusual in the Sri Lankan context, or the tradition surrounding Nandimithra and King Dutugemunu. The architectural perspective focuses on the shape and its base ring; the historical perspective considers the different accounts of the temple’s construction and dating. This makes it possible to identify Pallama’s cultural point of interest without treating architecture and tradition as the same thing. Depending on which question interests you more, a different aspect of Nandimithra Nawawanguwa Raja Maha Viharaya comes to the fore.

Discover more destinations: Kuliyapitiya, Etalai, Waikkal, Kobeigane, Bandara Koswatta, Madampe, Galgamuwa, Nochchiyagama

See the overview of the wider region: North Western Province.