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All Sri Lanka Ariyapala Mask Factory and Museum

Ariyapala Mask Factory and Museum

Beautiful and terrifying masks displayed in the island’s only mask library.

Ambalangoda, Sri Lanka

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neon astrolabe
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Ambalangoda Masks   Sarvodaya Shramadana Movement / CC BY 2.0
Ambalangoda Masks   Michael Gunther / CC BY-SA 4.0
A Kolam mask uses a makara arch to symbolize the Karava people, who are ethnic fisherfolk.   Michael Gunther / CC BY-SA 4.0
Garuda, the solar bird who is the vehicle of Vishnu   Michael Gunther / CC BY-SA 4.0
Ambalangoda Masks   Sarvodaya Shramadana Movement / CC BY 2.0
A craftsman carving a mask.   Dan arndt / CC BY-SA 4.0
A craftsman carving a mask.   Sarvodaya Shramadana Movement / CC BY 2.0
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About

Ariyapala Mask Factory and Museum is full of rich, colorful, and sometimes terrifying masks hand-crafted and painted by locals.  The museum contains face masks of all sizes, shapes, and inspirations made for traditional dances, plays, and decorative purposes.

Some of the more terrifying masks are meant to ward off evil spirits and are hundreds of years old. The museum also contains Sri Lanka’s only mask library, dedicated to works about ancient plays and mask-making techniques. Most masks are carved from the poison nut tree because of its smooth, pliable wood.  

The “factory” is more of a small workshop where one can watch the artisans at work as they carve and paint the masks. It is a fifth-generation owned enterprise and represents a national dying art form. There is also a gift shop where you can purchase your own modern-made mask.

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Cultures Crafts Factories Masks

Know Before You Go

Visiting the museum is free and the owners will explain the different masks, their meaning, and how they are made.  If you do not purchase a mask, it is suggested to make a small donation.

The museum is also sometimes called the Ambalangoda Mask Museum for the village in which it resides.

Community Contributors

Added By

neon astrolabe

Edited By

Michelle Cassidy

  • Michelle Cassidy

Published

August 23, 2023

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Sources
  • https://www.timeout.com/sri-lanka/art/puppets-and-masks-of-ambalangoda
  • https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=cTwz3bzjJ2U
  • https://us.lakpura.com/pages/ambalangoda-mask-factory-and-museum
  • https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g612378-d523525-Reviews-Ariyapala_Mask_Museum-Ambalangoda_Galle_District_Southern_Province.html
  • http://ariyapalamasksmuseum.com/Museum.html
  • https://lanka.com/about/attractions/ambalangoda-mask-factory-museum/
  • https://lanka-houses.com/sightseeing/ambalangoda-mask-museum.html
  • https://www.cinnamonhotels.com/experiences/ambalangoda-mask-factory-museum
Ariyapala Mask Factory and Museum
426 Main St
Ambalangoda
Sri Lanka
6.241272, 80.0507
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Nearby Places

Kande Vihara

Beruwala, Sri Lanka

miles away

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miles away

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Galle, Sri Lanka

miles away

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka

Asia

Places 39
Stories 7

Nearby Places

Kande Vihara

Beruwala, Sri Lanka

miles away

Brief Garden

Kirantidiya, Sri Lanka

miles away

Galle Fort

Galle, Sri Lanka

miles away

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka

Asia

Places 39
Stories 7

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