Kelaniya Raja Maha Vihara: A Sacred Place to Visit
(By Tsem Rinpoche and Beatrix Ooi)
The Kelaniya Temple is considered one of the most sacred sites in Buddhism. It was constructed on the banks of the Kelani River, near the city of Kelaniya, about 12km to the northeast of Colombo. It is said that the temple was consecrated by the historical Buddha during his third and final visit to Sri Lanka, eight years after achieving complete enlightenment. Upon the Buddha’s arrival with his entourage of arhats, they were received with the highest veneration. It is said that the Buddha bathed in the Kelani River, and it is at that spot where the Kelaniya Vihara now stands. The river is considered to be extremely sacred and important for the locals. Later on, the Buddha gave a teaching to the king and local citizens on the temple grounds. In order to commemorate this unique event, the king had a stupa built on the very same spot where the Buddha sat and taught the Dharma. It is also said that during this visit, the Buddha visited Adam’s Peak and left his footprint on its summit, which is now a holy place that is highly revered by the Sri Lankans.
The history of Kelaniya Vihara dates back to before 500 BCE. The Chief Monk of this temple is currently the Venerable Professor Kollupitiye Mahinda Sangharakkhitha Thera. According to the Mahawansa records (or “The Great Chronicle” that details the life and times of the people who shaped the nation of Sri Lanka from the 6th century BCE to the 4th century CE) it is stated that the original stupa of this sacred temple enshrined a throne which the Buddha sat on and preached during his visits. The yearly Duruthu Maha Perehera procession takes place at this temple every January.
History
The temple was considered prominent during the Kotte era but most of its property was confiscated by the Portuguese during their reign in Sri Lanka. However, later when the country was under Dutch rule, the temple was rebuilt. It also underwent further reconstruction in the early 20th century.
Gautama Buddha and paintings
The temple is famous for its statue of the reclining Buddha, as well as paintings that depict certain key events of Buddha Shakyamuni’s life, and also scenes from the Jataka tales, which detail the Buddha’s previous lives.
The reclining Buddha
Paintings depicting some life events of the Buddha
Paintings depicting some life events of the Buddha
There is also an 18-foot stone statue of the Buddha of Compassion, Avalokiteshvara that was constructed on the temple grounds.
The 18-foot Avalokiteshvara statue
Best time to visit
Sri Lanka’s weather is influenced by two weather patterns. The southwestern part of Sri Lanka experiences monsoon season between May and September and a dryer season between December and March. In the northern and eastern part of Sri Lanka, the rainy season occurs between October and January, and the dry season between May and September.
Nearby accommodations
1. Aubrona Hotel
Phone: +94 77 728 6683
Address: No. 81, New Road, Hunupitiya, Wattala 00094, Sri Lanka
Website: http://aubronahotel.com/
2. Opulent River Face Hotel
Phone: +94 11 2 865994
Address: 166 Koswatta Road | Nawala, Rajagiriya, Sri Jayawardenepura, Sri Lanka
Website: http://www.riverfacehotel.com/index.html
3. Maniumpathy
Phone: +94 11 2 696988
Address: 129 Kynsey Road, Colombo 00700, Sri Lanka
Website: http://www.maniumpathy.com/
4. Jetwing Colombo Seven
Phone: +94 11 4 709400
Address: 57, Ward Place, Colombo 7, Colombo, Sri Lanka
Website: http://www.jetwinghotels.com/jetwingcolomboseven/
5. Paradise Road Tintagel Colombo
Phone: +94 11 4 602060
Address: 65 Rosmead Place, Colombo 07, Sri Lanka
Website: http://www.paradiseroadhotels.com/tintagel/
Sources: wwww.wikipedia.org, www.kelaniyatemple.org/
For more interesting information:
- Brief Garden: A Hidden Paradise in Sri Lanka
- Must visit Chengdu (exotic and exciting)
- Gal Vihara: The Stone Temple of Sri Lanka
- Avalokiteshvara in Sri Lanka
- Wonderful Sri Lanka
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Kelaniya Raja Maha Vihara is a historic Buddhist temple in Kelaniya, Sri Lanka. This temple is both a perfect combination of historical significance and architectural aesthetics. Over the years it has become a popular tourist attraction of Sri Lanka. It has also developed as an educational institution, mainly because of the history and architecture. The beauty of the surroundings, has attracted thousands of tourist there. According to folklore and the inscriptions in the temple vicinity, the temple was built to commemorate Gautama Buddha ‘s visit. This temple is famous for its statue of the reclining Buddha, wall murals, paintings depicting some life events of the Buddha and so forth. Looking at those beautiful paints a thousand words. Wish I could visit this Holy place someday.
Thank you Rinpoche and Beatrix Ooi for this wonderful sharing.
Lovely place to visit for pilgrimage. Wonderful pictures of…There is also an 18-foot stone statue of the Buddha of Compassion, Avalokiteshvara that was constructed on the temple grounds….Paintings depicting some life events of the Buddha.
Thank you very much Rinpoche and Beatrix for this simple and lovely article.??
Good to include this sacred place, Kelaniya Temple, as a pilgrimage travel trip. It is believed that the temple was consecrated by the historical Buddha during his third and final visit to Sri Lanka, 8 years after achieving complete enlightenment. In addition, it is said that the Buddha bathed in the Kelani River, gave a teaching to the king and local citizens on the temple grounds and many others auspicious actions.
Thank you Beatrix for this wonderful post and we should pay a visit there to broaden our perspective.
Thank you for yet another place of pilgrimage we can visit at Sri Lanka.
The more places of pilgrimage the easier for people to engage in their spiritual practices going towards enlightenment.
Buddha had such a wide and deep impact to the east, west and south of the area where he was born, eventually north to Tibet and beyond to the Mongols and Manchus. Even to someone who has not learnt or understood his teachings, This fact would indicate of someone extraordinary.
Sri Lanka is like a veritable trove of sacred places for Buddhists. To think that this Kelaniya Temple marks the spot the Buddha visited Sri Lanka and where he actually bathed.
All the statues are of familiar Buddhas but looks different due to the different skills set and artistic interpretation,
All in all another very interesting article.
Thank you Beatrix for this article. It will be a good place for pilgrimage.
Thanks Beatrix for sharing this article. The temple is so beautiful. The paintings on the wall are amazing. The place is clean and looks calming. This is really a pilgrimage site that is worth visiting.
With folded palms,
Vivian
Another beautiful sacred place to visit in Colombo Sri Lanka.The city of Kelaniya was built along with its temple at about the 3rd century BC.The beautiful moral paintings illustrates the major events of the history of Buddhism done by Soliyas Mendis during 1927-1946
It was built on the banks of the Kelaniya River is one of the most sacred sites of Sri Lanka as where Gautama Buddha came.The temple is famous for its statues and stupas like the declining and standing statues which attracted many devotees and tourist yearly.
A sacred stupa was built at where Buddha sat and gave Dharma teachings.
Thank you Rinpoche and Beatrix Ooi for sharing with excellent informations provided.
Thank you, Beatrix, for this write-up on sacred sites where Buddha taught in Sri Lanka when he visited and the river site where he took bath. These holy sites are now consecrated with temples and stupa, for devotees to pay homage.