| Title | Sri Lankan Buddhist architecture styleUncommon |
|---|---|
| Description | A distinct regional style blending indigenous traditions with influences from the Indian subcontinent, characterized by stupas, image houses, and monastic complexes adapted to the island's landscape. |
| Also Known As | South Indian Temple architecture style Maurya architecture style Indic Temple architecture style Vedic Architectural Principles Shilpa Shastra Traditions Hindu Temple Architecture Maurya Period Architecture Sri Lankan Buddhist Architecture (Influenced by Indic Styles) Vastu Shastra Principles South Indian Temple Architecture Indo-Buddhist architecture style Ancient Indian Urban Planning architecture style Stupa architecture style Indian Buddhist Urban Planning Indian Buddhist Stupa Architecture Indian Buddhist Monastery Architecture Sri Lankan Buddhist Architecture Multicultural Buddhist Temple Architecture with Indian Buddhist Architectural Iconographic Influences Indian Buddhist Temple Architecture Indian Buddhist Iconography Thai Architecture Chinese Architecture Buddhist Temple Architecture with Indian Buddhist Architectural Indian Buddhist Monastery Planning Kandyan Buddhist-Hindu Temple Architecture with South Indian Dravidian Architectural Influences South Indian Dravidian Architecture Indian Buddhist Architecture Indian Hindu Architecture Kandyan Architecture Sri Lankan Syncretic Architecture Buddhist Monastery Architecture with Indian Buddhist Architectural Mauryan Architecture Sacred Bodhi Tree with Indian Buddhist Religious Significance Indian Buddhist Religious Traditions Bodh Gaya Bodhi Tree Kandyan Buddhist Temple Architecture with Indian Buddhist Architectural |
| Tags | Stupa Vihara Dagoba Vatadage Pilimage Sri Pada Sinhala Theravada Buddhism Bodhighara Image house Sri Lankan art Stupa architecture Vihara design Monastic architecture Monastery Anuradhapura Mahamevnawa Sri Lanka Buddhism |
| Style ID | INHF-STY-6837500098-14:29:50:21:03:25:SLBAS |
| URI | https://www.inheritage.foundation/aat/styles/sri-lankan-buddhist-architecture-style |
| API Endpoint | https://inheritage.foundation/api/v1/aat/sri-lankan-buddhist-architecture-style |
| Total Sites | 8 |
| Primary Sites | 5 |
| Created | November 19, 2025 |
| Last Updated | November 29, 2025 |
| Regions | Sri Lanka |
|---|
| Time Periods | 3rd century BCE onwards 3rd Century BCE onwards 3rd century BCE-present 3rd century BCE Present |
|---|---|
| Dynasties | Anuradhapura Kingdom Polonnaruwa Kingdom Kandy Kingdom Kandyan Kingdom Various Sri Lankan kingdoms |
| Sacred Contexts | Buddhist monasteries Stupas Image houses Buddhist temples Monasteries Buddhist Monasteries Temples Sacred Bodhi tree shrines Pilgrimage sites |
|---|---|
| Associated Deities | Buddha Bodhisattvas |
| Primary Materials | |
|---|---|
| Architectural Features | Stupas (Dagobas) Vatadage (Circular Relic Houses) Image Houses (Pilimage) Moonstones Guardstones Stupas Viharas Image houses Bodhi trees Relic chambers Image houses (Vihara) Bodhi tree shrines Image Houses (Viharas) Bodhi Trees Meditation Halls Stupas (dagobas) Viharas (image houses) Bodhigharas (Bo tree shrines) Meditation halls Refectories Viharas (monasteries) Bodhigharas (Bodhi tree shrines) Monastic complexes (Pirivena) |
| Keywords | Stupa Vihara Dagoba Vatadage Pilimage Sri Pada Sinhala Theravada Buddhism Bodhighara Image house Sri Lankan art Stupa architecture Vihara design Monastic architecture Monastery Anuradhapura Mahamevnawa Sri Lanka Buddhism |
|---|
| Title | Type | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Architecture of an Island: The Living Legacy of Sri Lanka | Book | |
| Buddhist Architecture of Sri Lanka | Book | Detailed analysis of Sri Lankan Buddhist architectural forms |
| Architecture of an Island: Sri Lanka | Book | |
| The Art and Architecture of Buddhism in Sri Lanka | Book | Detailed analysis of Buddhist art and architecture in Sri Lanka. |
| Site Name | Status | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| Adam's Peak Sri Pada Central Province Sri Lanka | Primary | 100% |
| Anuradhapura Ancient City North Central Province Sri Lanka | Primary | 100% |
| Kelaniya Raja Maha Vihara Colombo Sri Lanka | Primary | 100% |
| Mihintale Buddhist Monastery Anuradhapura Sri Lanka | Primary | 100% |
| Sri Maha Bodhi Mahamevnawa Anuradhapura Sri Lanka | Primary | 100% |
| Gangaramaya Temple Colombo Sri Lanka | Secondary | 100% |
| Lankatilaka Vihara Kandy Sri Lanka | Secondary | 100% |
| Temple of the Tooth Kandy Sri Lanka | Secondary | 100% |