Gangaramaya Buddhist Temple is one of the most popular and iconic temples located in Colombo. Situated near the scenic Beira Lake in the bustling city center, this is 120 years old, huge temple complex. It consists of the main temple, a museum, a library, and several imposing buildings with artistic designs. In particular, the extraordinary meditation hall with breathtaking lake views is quite popular among visitors.
You’ll see that this intriguing temple complex isn’t a typical Sri Lankan temple. It blends various architectural styles, including elements of Chinese, Thai, and Indian architecture. The main hall has a mix of modern and traditional designs, you may not see anywhere else in Sri Lanka. Hence, Gangaramaya Temple is a hugely popular place of worship and pilgrimage destination for Buddhists. As well, it is a major tourist attraction in Colombo.
History of the temple
The temple dates back to the late 19th century and currently, this temple is 120 years old. Venerable Hikkaduwe Sri Sumangala Nayaka Thero established this temple in 1885. When the temple was founded in the late 1800s, the area was a swamp beside Beira Lake.
Earlier, devotees had to cross the Beira Lake on a boat to reach the temple. Over the years, the temple expanded and renovated converting it to the most visited temple in Colombo city. Currently, it is a renowned Buddhist Temple with significant religious and cultural values.
Main Shrine
Two golden Buddha statues stand at the door leading to the main shrine of the temple. The huge door is an impressive work with intricate wood carvings of elephants and swans reminiscent of the island’s ancient craftsmanship. The main sanctuary is a soothing room decorated in soft yellowish hues, housing a massive Buddha statue in a meditation pose.
The enchanting decorations in ceilings have vibrant paintings depicting Buddhist stories. The columns of the sanctuary are adorned with traditional Sri Lankan art. Devotees go through the main sanctuary to offer colorful lotuses to the Buddha and exit out into the courtyard to light oil lamps and burn incense.
Exterior of the temple
The exterior of the temple is quite beautiful and elegantly decorated with elaborate designs and golden and brass statues of Lord Buddha. The temple is popular for its lavish architecture and statues showcasing Sri Lankan, Chinese, Thai, Burmese, and many other artistic styles.
Buddha Statues
The temple houses numerous Buddha statues, including a notable standing Buddha statue. There is a distinguishable step wall out of the main shrine with many stone statues of the Buddha and stupas.
Bodhi Tree
The temple complex features a Bodhi tree, an important symbol of the enlightenment of Lord Buddha. Devotees respect the tree as the closest living link to the Lord Buddha and worship it as a holy tree.
The Stupa
The coral-white stupa is an excellent place with serenity. Although this isn’t as huge as the ancient stupas in Anuradhapura, it is a unique creation you’ll see only in the Gangaramaya Buddhist Temple.
Seema Malaka
The most notable building in the temple is the unique architecture of the Meditation Hall. This is a wonderful design by famed architect Geoffrey Bawa. This floating temple called “Seema Malaka” is connected to the main temple by a bridge.
This beautiful Seema Malaka has an extraordinary design as an assembly hall for monks and meditators. Since this structure is located on Beira Lake, it provides a peaceful and scenic place for meditation and contemplation.
The Museum
Gangaramaya Temple includes a museum that displays a diverse collection of artifacts and cultural items, including gifts from devotees and historical artifacts. This museum is one of the major attractions you shouldn’t miss in the temple. This collection displays artifacts and other objects of religious, cultural, and historical value.
These ageless treasures have been collected from ancient Sri Lanka as well as around the globe. The collection includes valuable Buddha statues of different influences, ancient Ola leaf writings, old coins, vehicles, and other relics in a classic display of tradition and culture.
Vesak Festival
Vesak Festival is a major annual Buddhist festival that commemorates the birth, enlightenment, and passing away of Lord Buddha. Gangaramaya Temple organizes Sri Lanka’s largest and most colorful Vesak festival annually.
Thousands of Vesak lanterns float over Beira Lake during the festival, and the trees around the temple are lit up in celebration. Certainly, the Vesak festival in Gangaramaya Temple is a must-visit Vesak zone in Sri Lanka.
Navam Perahera
Gangaramaya Temple is famous for its annual Navam Perahera, a colorful procession that takes place in February. The procession includes traditional dancers, drummers, and elaborately decorated elephants. This festive parade was first held in 1979 and continues as a tradition to this day.
Cultural Significance
Gangaramaya temple is a sacred place of worship, and many Buddhists visit to make offerings, pray, and seek blessings. It also serves as a center for religious and cultural events. In addition to its religious activities, Gangaramaya Temple plays a role in promoting cultural and educational activities. It has a vocational training center and supports various charitable initiatives.
To sum up, Gangaramaya Buddhist Temple is a tranquil place of worship in the heart of Colombo city. It attracts thousands of local and foreign visitors every year. Most of the tourists don’t forget to include Gangaramaya Temple as an important part of their itinerary to experience the rich cultural and religious heritage of Sri Lanka. Certainly, visiting Gangaramaya is a completely worthy thing to do in Colombo. The serenity and spirituality of the temple offer a glimpse into the ancient Buddhist traditions in Sri Lanka.
Text by Magnificent Sri Lanka. Images from Wikimedia Commons and Twitter. All copyrights are reserved by original authors.
