Embekka Devalaya

 It has been said that the Embekka Devalaya may be the best place in the world. certainly in Sri Lanka to see the finest wood carvings of old. The main Temple or Maha Devalaya it self has two sections. the 'wedasitina Maligaya' (in which the Deity resides) and another which has the "Digge" (Dancing Hall) and the " Hevisi Mandapaya" (Drummer Hall). The Wedasitina Maligaya is where the wooden image of the Deity has been placed. 

The main hall provides a feast for the eyes with its columns, pillars and doors all adorned with breathtaking wood carving. The roof  too  has its own special design done in wood. A unique feature is that everything consists entirely of wood, with no other materials being used, not even metal. Even the nails used have been hewn out of wood.

 These beautifully carved designs feature some very interesting forms, one of the most recognizable being the Hansa Puttuwa or entwined swans. Other include designs of entwined rope (Lanu Gataya), sneezing face (Kisimbi Muna), festoon work (Liyawala), images of Deitiess (Deva Ruwa), hawk (Gijulihiniya) along with double-headed Eagles, dancing female forms, mother breast-feeding chld,wrestlers, soldiers fighting on horseback, birds with human figures and many more.