Natha Devale, Kandy

The Natha Devale is located on the terrace, in front of the Palace complex of 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.^[1] 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 Lord Maitreya, the next Buddha.^[2]

In 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.^[3] In the annual procession, the Natha Devale procession takes the pride of place among the Devale processions and follows just behind the Dalada Perahara.

Vishnu Devale of Kandy, a shrine which is located to the north of the Natha Devale, is in the inner complex of the palace. That shrine is dedicated to God Vishnu, one of the Hindu Triad, is considered a sober divinity who was committed to the protection of Buddhism from the beginning. He is the god that protects Sri Lanka, thus if he protects Sri Lanka he protects Buddhism.^[4]

Lord Buddha prophesied that Buddhism would flourish for 5,000 years.^[5] More than 2500 years of that 5000 years has gone past. It is said that Lord Natha is still in the battle of protecting Buddhism from Mara, and he has sent gods from the heaven to earth to protect Buddhism.

References

↑ "Natha Devale". Retrieved July 15, 2010.
↑ Schokman, Derrick (1990). "The Cult of God Natha". The Island. Retrieved July 15, 2010.
↑ "Nathe Devale". Panhinda.com. Retrieved July 15, 2010.
↑ "The Gods & Deity Worship in Sri Lanka". Retrieved July 15, 2010.
↑ Liyanage, Prageeth (1998). "Popular Buddhism". Retrieved July 15, 2010.

Landmarks in Kandy

Note: this includes landmarks in Kandy and its fringe areas

City Precincts	Kandy CBD Royal Palace of Kandy University of Peradeniya

Shopping	Kandy City Centre Kandy Municipal Market Royal Mall Torrington Shopping Complex

Entertainment	Bradby Shield Encounter Dharmaraja–Kingswood Cricket Encounter Esala Mangallaya Esala Perahera Trinity-Antonian Cricket Encounter

Public Galleries	D.S. Senanayake Memorial Public Library Kandy Garden Club International Buddhist Museum National Museum of Kandy Relic of the tooth of the Buddha Temple of the Tooth Museum Ceylon Tea Museum

Institutions	2nd Volunteer Battalion Sri Lanka Sinha Regiment Asgiriya Maha Vihara Buddhist Publication Society District Secretariat, Kandy General Post Office Institute of Fundamental Studies Kandyan Art Association & Cultural Centre Kandy Court Complex Kandy Municipal Council Malwatte Maha Vihara Mayor of Kandy List of schools in Kandy Teaching Hospital Kandy

Structures	Bahirawakanda temple Bogambara Prison Degaldoruwa Raja Maha Vihara Kandy Clock Tower Kandy Post Office Kandy Town Hall The Kandy House Natha Devale, Kandy Old Kandy Post office President's Pavilion Queen's Hotel, Kandy Sri Dalada Maligawa St. Paul's Church, Kandy Suisse Hotel

Sports Stadia	Asgiriya Stadium Bogambara Stadium Dharmaraja College Ground Nittawela Rugby Stadium Pallekele International Cricket Stadium Victoria Golf & Country Resort

Parks/Spaces	Arthur's seat British Garrison Cemetery Kandy War Cemetery Central Highlands of Sri Lanka Dorwin reservoir E. L. Senanayake Children's Park George E. De Silva Park Kandy Lake Hanthana Mountain Range Alagalla Mountain Range Knuckles mountain range Mahaweli River Royal Botanical Gardens, Peradeniya Udawatta Kele Sanctuary Wales Park

Transport	Asgiriya Railway Station D.S. Senanayake Veediya Kandy Bus Station Kandy Railway Station Katugastota Railway Station Mahiyawa Railway Station Peradeniya Junction Railway Station Sangaraja Mawatha Sarasavi Uyana Railway Station Sirimavo Bandaranaike Mawatha Sri Dalada Veediya William Gopallawa Mawatha Yatinuwara Veediya

See also Events in Kandy

Kingdom of Kandy topics

History	Founding Sinhalese–Portuguese War Kandyan Treaty of 1638 An Historical Relation of the Island Ceylon Treaty of Batticaloa Kandyan Wars Uva Rebellion Matale Rebellion Kandyan Convention

Monarchs	House of Siri Sanga Bo House of Dinajara Nayaks of Kandy

The King's Council	Adigar Dissava Rate Mahatmaya Diyawadana Nilame

Society	Kandyan castes

People	Weliwita Sri Saranankara Thero Ehelepola Nilame Gajaman Nona Gongalegoda Banda Sir John D'Oyly, 1st Baronet, of Kandy Joseph Vaz Keppetipola Disawe Puran Appu Robert Brownrigg Wariyapola Sri Sumangala

Culture	Esala Perahera Esala Mangallaya Relic of the tooth of the Buddha Dance Frescoes Jewelry

Landmarks	Temple of the Tooth Royal Palace Natha Devale The Kandy House Udawatta Kele Sanctuary Wales Park Royal Botanical Gardens, Peradeniya Kandy Lake Bogoda Wooden Bridge Walauwa

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Natha Devale, Kandy

See also

References