Kelaniya Raja Maha Viharaya

Snapshot

Situated six miles from Colombo, the ancient Kelani Raja Maha Viharaya with a history that dates back nearly 2,563 years standing beside the Kelani River. According to the Mahavamsa, Lord Buddha stopped at this ancient 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 paintings, which depict important events in the life of the Buddha and history of Buddhism in Sri Lanka. Each year, on the full moon day of January, the annual procession known as the `Duruthu Perahera’ is held. The procession displays ancient traditions and highlights the site’s cultural heritage.