An Investigation on the Causes of Deterioration at Hindagala Temple and the Conservation Treatments

Abstract

A cave with deep incised protective drip ledges, later transformed into an image house and below the image house, a rock-cut temple are two main monuments found in the Hindagala temple. It is located in Kandukarapahala Korale of Udapalatha division of Kandy district, Central Province in Sri Lanka. Most of the paintings date back to the 18th century and some poorly preserved paintings which are said to be from the 5th century have remained. The research problem of this study is to suggest what the conservation treatments for the deterioration at the temple through the identification of causes. Objectives of this research are to identify the cause and effect concept according to the particular place, suggest the appropriate treatments for the causes, and to protect the values of this heritage, especially harmonize the compositions with ancient work.