Kathaluwa Poorwarama Viharaya

  

Kathaluwa Poorwarama Viharaya is a Buddhist temple located in Kathaluwa village in the Galle District of Sri Lanka. While local traditions suggest its origins date back to the Anuradhapura Period, evidence indicates the temple was established in 1840 by Kathaluwe Gunarathana Thera.

The temple is renowned for its intricate murals housed within the image house. Although the year 1886 is inscribed above the entrance, the style and details of the paintings suggest they were created earlier. The image house features an elevated platform, kabok (laterite) walls plastered with lime mortar, and comprises inner, middle, and outer chambers. A notable feature above the main entrance is the British crest with a portrait of Queen Victoria and the year 1886, possibly indicating a later addition or renovation.

The Poorwarama temple is popular among visitors for its valuable murals housed in the image house. Although the year 1886 A.D. is mentioned above the entrance door to the image house, the technique and the details in the paintings inside indicate that they have been executed much earlier than 1886.

The temple complex is divided into two terraces: the upper terrace houses the stupa, image house, Bodhi tree, belfry, and library, while the lower terrace contains the monks' dwellings.

Kathaluwa Poorwarama Viharaya is located near Koggala, a small coastal town situated at the edge of a lagoon on Sri Lanka's south coast. Koggala is known for its long beaches and proximity to attractions such as the Martin Wickramasinghe Folk Museum and traditional stilt fishermen.