Embekke Devale, a fourteenth-century shrine dedicated to the god Skanda (Kataragama), is famous throughout Sri Lanka for its extraordinary carved wooden pillars. The drum hall and porch are supported by columns covered top to bottom with intricate relief carvings of wrestlers, dancers, birds, and mythological figures — the carving quality is exceptional and remarkably well preserved given the building's age.
Located about 14 km west of Kandy, Embekke is the logical third stop on the Gadaladeniya–Lankatilaka circuit. The shrine is small and can be seen thoroughly in under an hour, but the woodcarving deserves unhurried attention. Photography is permitted in the porch areas.