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Kelaniya Raja Maha Vihara

Kelaniya Raja Maha Vihara

Kelaniya Raja Maha Vihara
4.5
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Duration: More than 3 hours
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  • LolaGo1
    Washington DC, District of Columbia6,624 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    Last Temple to visit during our Day Tour
    The staff here are quite restrict about enforcing the dress code and no shoe policy here. From the parking lot, we were approached by 3 different men telling us to remove our shoes. At this time it was about 12:30 p.m. and ground was quite hot. I quickly took pictures of the exteriors of the temples and its gate, fancy/artistic carvings there. We thanked the staff and decided to visit it again in the early morning to ensure that our bare feet don’t get burned.
    Visited March 2024
    Travelled solo
    Written 9 March 2024
  • Nilushen
    Colombo, Sri Lanka1,013 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Favorite ,Beautiful and historic
    The temple is praised for its elaborate architecture, including a stunning main entrance and intricate carvings. Some reviewers mention its significance as a Buddhist pilgrimage site, believed to have been visited by the Buddha himself. Many visitors find the temple serene and calming, a great place for prayer and reflection. The large reclining Buddha statue is a popular attraction, along with the dagoba (stupa) and the sacred bo tree. There's also a museum on the premises. As with any religious site in Sri Lanka, it's respectful to cover your shoulders and knees. Maintain silence while devotees are praying, and be mindful of your actions while exploring the temple grounds. If you want to avoid crowds, consider going on a weekday or earlier in the day. Be aware that some ceremonies might limit access to certain areas. Overall, Kelaniya Temple seems to be a popular destination for both pilgrims and tourists, offering a beautiful space for cultural immersion and spiritual reflection.
    Visited April 2024
    Travelled with friends
    Written 23 April 2024
  • Devendra G
    India1,045 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Vibhishana temple
    Kelaniya temple is also known as the Vibhishan temple. This is a buddhist temple, and it is believed that Gautam buddha visited the place on his third and final visit to Sri Lanka. On the back of the temple wall, there is a carving of Vibhishana being crowned by Lakshmana Ji. Nice place to visit.
    Visited June 2024
    Travelled with family
    Written 24 June 2024
  • Let's Go Sightseeing
    Noida, India2,914 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Quite Large Premises
    From where I got off my cab, I climbed a flight of stairs to come to the lower terrace. I climbed another short series of steps to come to the upper terrace with the main temple right in front of me, a stupa on my right and a Bodhi tree on my left. I found the main temple of the Kelaniya Raja Maha Vihara to be impressive. The wall paintings illustrate the Jataka tales, stimulating compassion. Stepping out, I walked to the stupa and further to a guardian statue. Then I turned back and walked to the Bodhi Tree. I watched devotees offer lotus flowers and bowls of what I thought was water to the Bo Tree. The Kelaniya Raja Maha Vihara is quite large, and I would have loved to see more of it had it not been for the rain. This was the only place where, when I donated, a prayer was said for my family & my wellbeing.
    Visited June 2024
    Travelled solo
    Written 12 July 2024
These reviews are the subjective opinion of Tripadvisor members and not of TripAdvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.

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4.5
4.5 of 5 bubbles631 reviews
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Chamo😉👻💜️
Ja Ela, Sri Lanka11 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Jan 2022 • Family
The Kelani Rajamaha Viharaya is the place where the Supreme Buddha visited for the third time. This is a very sacred and special place for Buddhists. The paintings in the temple are very interesting and valuable works of art. The dagoba here also takes the shape of a grain and adds value to the Kelani temple.This is special because of the ancient architecture and beauty of the place. The serenity and serenity here is a wonderful feeling to experience. The beauty of the place at night is soothing and soothing.
Written 18 January 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

SAKINDU
Homagama, Sri Lanka47 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Feb 2022 • Family
Kelaniya Raja Maha Vihara is one of the most sacred and historic Buddhist temple in Sri Lanka.
Such a significant value has been added to this place as Lord Buddha has visited once here.
Also, so many great paintings can be witnessed here.
Crowded on Poya days and weekends. Otherwise, this is a very calm and peaceful place to have a visit and relax your mind.
Written 8 February 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Nilushen
Colombo, Sri Lanka1,013 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Apr 2024 • Friends
The temple is praised for its elaborate architecture, including a stunning main entrance and intricate carvings. Some reviewers mention its significance as a Buddhist pilgrimage site, believed to have been visited by the Buddha himself. Many visitors find the temple serene and calming, a great place for prayer and reflection. The large reclining Buddha statue is a popular attraction, along with the dagoba (stupa) and the sacred bo tree. There's also a museum on the premises. As with any religious site in Sri Lanka, it's respectful to cover your shoulders and knees. Maintain silence while devotees are praying, and be mindful of your actions while exploring the temple grounds. If you want to avoid crowds, consider going on a weekday or earlier in the day. Be aware that some ceremonies might limit access to certain areas. Overall, Kelaniya Temple seems to be a popular destination for both pilgrims and tourists, offering a beautiful space for cultural immersion and spiritual reflection.
Written 23 April 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

LolaGo1
Washington DC, DC6,624 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Mar 2024 • Solo
The staff here are quite restrict about enforcing the dress code and no shoe policy here. From the parking lot, we were approached by 3 different men telling us to remove our shoes. At this time it was about 12:30 p.m. and ground was quite hot.

I quickly took pictures of the exteriors of the temples and its gate, fancy/artistic carvings there. We thanked the staff and decided to visit it again in the early morning to ensure that our bare feet don’t get burned.
Written 9 March 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Let's Go Sightseeing
Noida, India2,914 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Jun 2024 • Solo
From where I got off my cab, I climbed a flight of stairs to come to the lower terrace. I climbed another short series of steps to come to the upper terrace with the main temple right in front of me, a stupa on my right and a Bodhi tree on my left.

I found the main temple of the Kelaniya Raja Maha Vihara to be impressive. The wall paintings illustrate the Jataka tales, stimulating compassion. Stepping out, I walked to the stupa and further to a guardian statue.

Then I turned back and walked to the Bodhi Tree. I watched devotees offer lotus flowers and bowls of what I thought was water to the Bo Tree. The Kelaniya Raja Maha Vihara is quite large, and I would have loved to see more of it had it not been for the rain.

This was the only place where, when I donated, a prayer was said for my family & my wellbeing.
Written 12 July 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Jaanya Gamage
16 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
May 2021
Kelaniya Rajamaha viharaya is one of the most sacred ancient Buddhist temple located in Kelaniya, Gampaha District, Sri Lanka. It is among the country's sixteen holiest Buddhist shrines (Solosmasthana) (Which is one of the 16 places where lord Budhda has visited)
The Kelaniya Stupa enshrined a gem-studded throne on which the Buddha sat and preached.
Lord Budhdha's second visit to Nagadeepaya, Sri Lanka was in the fifth year of enlightenment to settle a dispute between two Naga Kings, Chulodara and Mahodara over the possession of a Gem Studded throne.
After having listened to the Dhamma sermons by Buddha the Naga kings paid homage to Buddha with overwhelming faith and the throne was offered to Lord Buddha by two Naga kings.
The throne was then presented to Naga King Maniakkika- Ruler of Kelaniya by Lord Budhdha as he pleaded for a souvenir to worship. King Maniakkika in turn constructed a Cetiya (Stupa) covering the Gem studded Throne in Kelaniya for thousands of devotees to worship and invited lord Budhdha to visit the holy site.
Lord Buddha together with 500 Arahats (Supremely enlightened beings) visited Kelaniya and preached Dhamma, on Wesak Poya Day, after eighth year of enlightenment as Lord Budhdha .It was lord Buddha's third and final visit to Sri Lanka. “The sin of a life time are all rendered null, Once Kelaniya is worshiped a single time"
Written 26 May 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

piranha37
Mehun-sur-Yevre, France513 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Jan 2024 • Couples
Great fervor. Of course it is a little out of the way but it is by far the most interesting temple. When we arrived we were invited to a ceremony in a small temple with all these white women. Many families with their babies who they present to a monk in the main temple with beautiful frescoes from 2 eras. A beautiful religious experience and we don't ask for money to enter. Essential in Colombo. 800 to 100 rupees by tuk tuk.
Google
Written 20 January 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

FlavioSTAR
Milan, Italy512 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Dec 2023 • Family
Very ancient temple. It is said that Buddha crossed the nearby river twice... there are many frescoes that document it. High quality frescoes containing complex and difficult to interpret narratives. What we understand is that it is a place of prayer much appreciated by the locals and that three millennia after its foundation it exudes spirituality. The temple was destroyed by the Portuguese during one of the various wars and rebuilt by the king. It is located just under an hour from the city center.
Google
Written 24 December 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Devendra G
India1,045 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Jun 2024 • Family
Kelaniya temple is also known as the Vibhishan temple. This is a buddhist temple, and it is believed that Gautam buddha visited the place on his third and final visit to Sri Lanka. On the back of the temple wall, there is a carving of Vibhishana being crowned by Lakshmana Ji. Nice place to visit.
Written 24 June 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Michael Todd Davis
20 contributions
3.0 of 5 bubbles
Jan 2020
During our 21 day trip to Sri Lanka, we saw about 15-20 temples, this one being the last on the way to the airport. Not very interesting, though the architecture was more interesting than most. Do not recommend. No western tourists, except my wife and me, and I think for good reason. A lot of paintings on the walls, but again not interesting. Locals seem to love this temple.
Written 8 February 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

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KELANIYA RAJA MAHA VIHARA: All You MUST Know Before You Go (2024)

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