the natha devala shrine near kandy sri lanka asia

navigate by keyword : natha devala shrine located terrace front royal palace complex kandy existence tooth relic brought oldest extant structure built king vikramabahu history worship god clear means generally associated maitreya buddha days kingdom important role establishment royalty bodhisattva avalokitesvara worshiped curer diseases tradition distributing herbal preparations year day annual procession pride place processions dalada perahara devale

The Natha Devala shrine near Kandy. Sri Lanka, Asia.

The Natha Devala is a shrine located on the terrace, in front of the Royal Palace complex in Kandy. It is said to have been in existence even before the Tooth Relic was brought to Kandy. The oldest extant structure in Kandy, it is said to have been built by King Vikramabahu III in the 14th century. The history of the worship of God Natha is not clear. The name 'Natha' literally means 'no form' and 'no shape', and is therefore generally associated with Maitreya, the next Buddha. n the days of the Kingdom of Kandy, this shrine is said have played an important role in the establishment of the royalty. The king was given his royal name at this shrine. The Bodhisattva Avalokitesvara, being worshiped as a curer of diseases, the tradition of distributing herbal preparations on New Year day was conducted here until recent times. Hence, Bodhisattva Avalokitesvara is also associated with the Natha Devale, Kandy. In the annual procession, the Natha Devale procession takes the pride of place among the Devale processions and follows just behind the Dalada Perahara.