15/10/2021
(For those who asked for more info about this mysterious kadadora temple..,)
Kothamale Reservoir was the first project to begin under the Mahaweli Development Project which 2,270 ha of fertile land of the Kotmale Valley.
Submerged by the waters of the reservoir are the ruins of many temples and human settlements. In fact, more than 14 tea estates, 57 villages and about 54 ancient temples, among others are said to have gone under water when the reservoir was built. While many of these places do not exist at present, even underwater, some of them still do. Among these, the ruins of the Kadadora Viharaya are spectacular, especially the sculptured statues of the Buddha and other deities. The name of this temple has been lost in time after the reservoir was built, but it is believed to be Pratibimbarama Viharaya of Kadadora.
However, these ruins are a rare sight and can only be viewed according to the whims of the weather gods. The temple was first exposed around 2009 after over 30 years under water during a prolonged dry spell. It was last exposed in early 2016.
