The Kelaniya Raja Maha Vihara or Kelaniya Temple is a Buddhist temple in Kelaniya, Sri Lanka. It is located 11 km (6.8 mi) north-east of Colombo. The current chief incumbent (chief priest) is Venerable Professor Kollupitiye Mahinda Sangharakkhitha Thera.
The temple has often been associated with the rise and fall of Ceylon / Sri Lanka, with the popular saying that as the Kelaniya temple rose, Sri Lanka rose and as it fell, the country and its administration fell. It has thus had a deep association with the political powers of the country.
It is also infamous for Mapitigama Buddharakkitha, the chief conspirator of the 1959 assassination of Ceylon's fourth Prime Minister S. W. R. D. Bandaranaike. Buddharakkitha was the chief incumbent (chief priest) of the Kelaniya Raja Maha Vihara from 1947 to 1959.
History of Kelaniya Temple
Kelaniya Temple believed to have been built in the era prior to the chronologically recorded history of Sir Lanka (since 543 B.C) was renovated by Prince Uttiya, brother of King Devanampiyatissa following the arrival Arahat Mahinda in 307 BC. According to the Mahawansa, King Devanampiyatissa’s brother Uttiya renovated the vihara for the first time. Prince Uttiya also built the first ever residential quarters of the Buddhist monks (Sanghawasa) there.
The ancient temple was destroyed time and again by the Dravidian invaders from Southern India. Each time the temple had been reconstructed. The medieval temple was destroyed by the Portuguese in 1510 yet reconstructed by King Kirthi Sri Rajasingha in the year 1967. New Temple was initiated in 1927 and completed in 1946 under the patronage of philanthropist Mrs. Helena Wijewardene.
How to Reach?
From Colombo to Kelaniya Temple 9.9km Far away. You can choose easy way to reach Kelaniya Temple.
What You Can Do Here?
If you visit in Kelaniya Temple, there are lots of things to do & watch here kelaniya around. If you travelling Kelaniya, you can watch temple art, visit water world, take photos & many more.
Here is a long list of major things to do in Kelaniya, which the first time travelers can visit and experience.
Watch Kelaniya Stupa
Kelaniya Raja Maha Vihara temple is known to have emerged during 500 BC when Gautama Buddha visited Sri Lanka for the third and final time. It is said that the original Stupa at Kelaniya comprised of a throne studded with gems where Buddha preached. Thus, the history of the temple dates back to centuries.
Watch Kelaniya Temple Art
Among the many great artists whom we posthumously admire, Solias Mendis is one who is at the forefront. In fact, he dedicated his whole life to Buddhist mural art. However, neither any State art institute nor any art critic honoured or valued his art in his life time. At least a felicitation volume or a tributary book has never been published so far by our Cultural Department or the Arts council. It is in this backdrop that his 124th birth anniversary fell on June 17. In in this article, we pay tribute to his great service to Buddhist mural art in Sri Lanka.
Visit Water World
Water World Lanka is an aquatic marine land of 5 acres on the banks of the Kelani River in the Kelaniya region of the western part of Sri Lanka and is home to over 500 different species of fish and invertebrates. Our unique range of aquatic life includes freshwater, marine, and aquatic animals and plants from ecosystems around the world. Water World Kelaniya is the only underwater tunnel public aquarium in South Asia. This is the only public aquarium in Sri Lanka.
Air Ride with iws aviation (private) limited
IWS Aviation incorporates the latest technology in the aviation industry. Currently we offer tours and charter services to various destinations around the country on our AIRBUS H120 Helicopter and AIRBUS EC 130 B4. Convenience is the prime focus of incorporating aviation solutions to modes of transportation for safety and reliability on sporting events, business meetings or for aerial photography.
Take photos
You can take lots of photos. There are eye pleasing surroundings. You can take variety poses pictures.
