Colombo Trip Overview
Believed to have its beginnings more than 2500 years ago, during Lord Buddha’s third visit to Sri Lanka, the Kelaniya Raja Maha Viharaya has long been known to be one of the more decorated temples in the entire island, as it is home to a great many exquisitely crafted sculptures and intricately detailed murals depicting significant events related to the religion of Buddhism, making it art lover’s paradise. Coupled with a well-documented history that shows its survival even through colonialism, the temple is a treasure trove that is perfect for the history buff to delve in. If one were to talk of the significance of the Kelaniya Raja Maha Viharaya, the first thing that would be spoken about is its amazingly crafted sculptures of Lord Buddha, deities and animals, along with immaculate murals and paintings that depict the Jataka Tales (the lives of Lord Buddha) and events depicting the progress of Buddhism in Sri Lanka as a whole.
Additional Info
Duration: 4 to 5 hours
Starts: Colombo, Sri Lanka
Trip Category: Cultural & Theme Tours >> Historical & Heritage Tours
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What to Expect When Visiting Colombo, Western Province, Sri Lanka
Believed to have its beginnings more than 2500 years ago, during Lord Buddha’s third visit to Sri Lanka, the Kelaniya Raja Maha Viharaya has long been known to be one of the more decorated temples in the entire island, as it is home to a great many exquisitely crafted sculptures and intricately detailed murals depicting significant events related to the religion of Buddhism, making it art lover’s paradise. Coupled with a well-documented history that shows its survival even through colonialism, the temple is a treasure trove that is perfect for the history buff to delve in. If one were to talk of the significance of the Kelaniya Raja Maha Viharaya, the first thing that would be spoken about is its amazingly crafted sculptures of Lord Buddha, deities and animals, along with immaculate murals and paintings that depict the Jataka Tales (the lives of Lord Buddha) and events depicting the progress of Buddhism in Sri Lanka as a whole.
Itinerary
This is a typical itinerary for this product
Stop At: Kelaniya Raja Maha Vihara, Colombo Sri Lanka
Situated six miles from Colombo, the ancient Kelani Raja Maha Viharaya has stood beside the Kelani River for over 2,500 years. According to the Mahavamsa, a chronicle of Sri Lanka’s history that dates back to 543 BC, Lord Buddha stopped at this temple during a visit to Sri Lanka in 523 BC, where he was invited to preach by the king. The Mahawamsa records that the original dagoba at Kelaniya enshrined a gem-studded throne on which the Buddha sat and preached. This temple is also famous for its image of the reclining Buddha and beautiful paintings, which depict notable events in the life of the Buddha and the history of Buddhism in Sri Lanka. According the chronicles the Buddha visited the Kelaniya with 500 bhikkhus and preached dharma to King and his people on the spot where the temple stands today. From Kelaniya, Buddha proceeded to the domain of the Deity Sumana Saman at the mountain to of Samanthakuta now known as Sri Pada (Adams Peak).
Duration: 2 hours
