Considered to be the largest temple in Sri Lanka, built of granite, Gadaladeniya is situated on top of a rocky outcrop. Believed to have been built by Ven Dharmakeerthi Thero (14th Century) during the time of King Buwanekabahu IV, the first king of the Gampola era, the temple shows significance influence of Hindu architecture. The image house has a massive wooden doorway that opens in two pieces, preceded by a simple moonstone of vines and lotuses. At the entrance there are two stone pillars, each with another set of pillars which makes up a tri-pillar on each side. Inside the image house, the countenance of the seated Buddha statue is of ‘pride and authority’, different from that of the Anuradhapura and Polonnaruwa eras.
The temple grounds also has a stupa, about 40 feet high with four small stupas surrounding, with a roof over it.