{"id":725631,"date":"2024-06-12T14:20:48","date_gmt":"2024-06-12T08:50:48","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/traveltriangle.com\/blog\/?p=725631"},"modified":"2024-06-13T17:29:37","modified_gmt":"2024-06-13T11:59:37","slug":"kelaniya-raja-maha-vihara-colombo-is-a-mural-paradise","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/traveltriangle.com\/blog\/kelaniya-raja-maha-vihara-colombo\/","title":{"rendered":"Kelaniya Raja Maha Vihara Colombo Is A Mural Paradise"},"content":{"rendered":"

The Kelaniya Raja Maha Vihara Colombo<\/strong>, commonly known as the Kelaniya Temple, is a famous Buddhist temple in Kelaniya, Sri Lanka. It is situated around 9.3 km northeast of Colombo. Built on the banks of the river Kelaniya, it is well-known for its sculptor’s art. It has frequently been linked with the rise and fall of the island nation; there is a popular expression that with the increase of the Kelaniya Temple, Sri Lanka rose, and with its fall, the government, along with its administration, fell. Therefore, this temple has a profound association that runs deep with the country’s political forces. The Kelaniya temple is thus often visited by political leaders from the ruling and opposition parties.<\/em><\/p>\n

History Of Kelaniya Raja Maha Vihara In Colombo<\/h2>\n
\"Kelaniya<\/div>\n

Image Source: Shutterstock<\/a><\/p>\n

The Kelaniya Raja Maha Vihara is an archaeological monument whose establishment dates back to 500 BCE. Considered as one of the most sacred sites in Colombo, Buddhists revere this temple as being made holy during the third and last visit of Lord Buddha to Sri Lanka, eight years after attaining enlightenment. According to the Mahawamsa, the initial Stupa at Kelaniya Raja Maha Vihara consecrated a gem-studded throne on which Buddha is said to have sat and sermoned. This Stupa is 90ft in height and is built in the shape of a rice grain heap, natively known as \u201cDhanyakara\u201d.<\/p>\n

There is a story behind the gem-studded throne, which is quite interesting. On the Buddha’s second visit to Sri Lanka, in the fifth year of gaining enlightenment, to resolve a conflict between two Naga Kings, Mahodara and Chulodara, over the ownership of a Gem Studded throne. After listening to the Dhamma preachings by Buddha, both the kings paid tribute to Lord Buddha with the utmost faith and offered him the throne as a token of gratitude, but he returned it to the kings. Along with 500 Arahats (Highly enlightened beings), Buddha is said to have sat on this throne and preached. The throne was later enshrined within the Rajayathana Stupa by King Maniakkika, the monarch of Kelaniya.<\/p>\n

Must Read:<\/strong> Colombo Dutch Museum<\/a><\/p>\n

Structure Of The temple<\/h2>\n
\"temple<\/div>\n

Image Source: Facebook<\/a>
\nMany invaders destroyed the ancient temple, but it has been rebuilt each time. Initially constructed during the Kotte Empire, the Portuguese destroyed the medieval temple in 1510, but its reconstruction by King Kirthi Sri Rajasingha in 1769 added more cultural and historical value. This sacred temple is spread over an area of 10 acres and is accessible via the park on the opposite side of Main Street.<\/p>\n

It is divided into four major sections, namely,<\/p>\n