Women in Sri Lankan Sculpture and Painting

Guardian Deities

Guardian Deities

Wood carving--Aludeniya--Gampola--Sri Lanka

The idea of the joint role of male and female as guardian deities is conveyed in this wood-carving at the Uda Aludeniya temple near Gampola, Sri Lanka. The couple at the bottom of the door jambs here are not represented as nagas (cobras), but there seems to be a close parallel with a stone sculpture seen at Kurunegala, Sri Lanka. Two females bearing chamaras or fly whisks are carved on two upper panels of the door jambs. They are perhaps attendant goddesses. A date in the 14th century A.D. has been suggested by scholars on stylistic grounds.

Sirima Kiribamune

Uda Aludeniya Temple, Gampola, Sri Lanka

14th century A.D.

Period of study: 1986-1987

Version: 01/12/2012

Co-Author: Seneviratna, Harsha

Technical Officer: Wijesinghe, Lalith

Technical Assistant: Jayasundare, Subhashini

Photographer: Madanayake, I.S.

International Center for Ethnic Studies, Kandy, Sri Lanka

Norwegian Agency for Development Cooperation

American Institute for Sri Lankan Studies, Colombo

All rights reserved by International Center for Ethnic Studies, Sri Lanka.

Forms part of Photographic documentation of Women as depicted in early Sri Lankan sculpture and painting / Slide in present collection

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