Padiwita Ambalama

About

Padiwita Ambalama, located amidst a picturesque paddy field in the Matale district, harkens back to the time when the primary route from Matale to Kandy traversed these very fields. Built during the Kandyan Kingdom, before the British era, Padiwita Ambalama now stands as a historical monument, preserving the legacy of an era gone by. The ambalama is perched atop a platform constructed from rugged rocks and massive wooden beams, a testament to the craftsmanship of a bygone age. One can't help but marvel at the intricate carvings adorning the wooden pillars that support the roof, depicting elegant flowers, noble lions, and majestic elephants. While Padiwita Ambalama continues to captivate history enthusiasts and visitors, it still serves its original purpose as a meeting place and gathering spot for the local villagers. Despite the ravages of time, Padiwita Ambalama remains a fascinating slice of Sri Lanka's history. Photo by Udukumbure, CC BY-SA 4.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0>, via Wikimedia Commons