Gangaramaya Temple In Colombo – Beauty At Its Best!

Sri Lanka is one of the most loved tourist destinations in South Asia. From being filled with beautiful sceneries and attractions to exciting activities that you can try there, Sri Lanka deserves to be on everyone’s bucket list and so does yours. This little island country is also home to many divine temples which could soothe your mind like no other. While on a vacation, there should be some time in hand, just to yourself to restore and replenish your soul. And, visiting a temple that’s gracefully situated in a beautiful location is the best option you can think of. Speaking of which, Gangaramaya Temple In Colombo is one iconic attraction and every traveller who wants to cover the best of Sri Lanka should visit this place.

Gangaramaya Temple

Gangaramaya Temple is a Buddhist temple in Colombo which is well-known among the tourists and the locals as well. It was built in the 19th century, solely dedicated to Buddha. Located on the banks of Beira lake, Gangaramaya Temple is a beautiful attraction in and out! When you visit this temple, you will surely realise why I mentioned that it would calm your soul. You will literally walk through a way that’s lined with sculptures surrounded by a lake. So, here is a guide to help you know everything about this temple before visiting, to make your trip much easier.

History and architecture of Gangaramaya Temple

The Gangaramaya Temple was built by de Silva Jayasuriya Goonewardane (Don Bastian) who was a shipping merchant. People visit holy places but they will even revisit this temple just for its architecture. It showcases many beautiful styles of architecture including Sri Lankan, Thai, Burmese, Chinese and many more. There are many statues of Buddha all over the temple, starting from the ones that are guiding you to the main temple. Apart from spreading the sacred vibe, it also provides training for more than 7000 students by the name ‘Sri Jinaratana Training Institute’. Also, they have a Na Sevana’s Community Development Project for uplifting the standard of living.

Things to do in Gangaramaya Temple

The top attractions at the temple are mentioned below which would surely make you visit the Gangaramaya Temple in Colombo.

1. Start with the Image House or Viharaya
2. Have a look at the Samadhi statue and Ata Visi Hall
3. Wander around the museum
4. Catch the vibe at Bodhiya
5. Check out the Relic Chamber
6. Get stunned at the Replica Of Borobudur
7. Spend some time at the Beira Lake

1. Start with the Image House or Viharaya

Viharaya is the main attraction with a huge Buddha statue with the story of Buddha described above. With it, there are many other statues and paintings narrating the life of Buddha.

2. Have a look at the Samadhi statue and Ata Visi Hall

A few other things to check out are the white Samadhi statue which sits on a sculptured stone with two elephant tusks on the sides and the Ata Visi Hall decorated with 28 Buddha statues in the most beautiful way possible.

3. Wander around the museum

Check out the collection of artefacts, currencies, old statues and leaf writings from the ancient past which clears speaks about the country’s cultural importance. There are also few vintage objects available like old cars, watches and many others which would be worth your time.

4. Catch the vibe at Bodhiya

Bodhiya is a holy fig free and there is a belief that Buddha got his enlightenment here. Hence it offers such sacred vibes to the devotees and some amazing views to all its visitors.

5. Check out the Relic Chamber

As the name suggests, the Relic chamber features relics of Buddha and a huge collection of objects with historical and cultural importance.

6. Get stunned at the Replica Of Borobudur

One fascinating thing that you could find here is the replica of Borobudur (Indonesian temple). At this place, you will find the best of Sri Lankan architecture in this imitation and many Buddha statues neatly stacked.

7. Spend some time at the Beira Lake

Visiting this place is like covering two top attractions at the same time. Plan your visit in such a way that you could spend some time at Beira Lake. If lucky, be there during a sunrise or a sunset.

Other things to know about the temple

Best time to visit – February is considered to be the best month to visit the Gangaramaya Temple in Colombo. The weather during the month will be moderate and you will be able to enjoy your visit more than visiting during other months. There will also be festivals at that time which would add colours to your trip. You can also visit during April end or early June to take part in the very famous Vesak festival.

Location – 61, Sri Jinarathana Rd, Colombo – 00200, Sri Lanka.

How to reach? – The nearest airport to the temple is Bandaranaike Airport. You can either take a Colombo express bus which would cost you around 270 LKR or a taxi which would cost around 4000 – 5400 INR, to reach the temple.

Timings – Open from 6 AM to 10 PM on all days.

Entry fee – No fee to enter the temple.

Tips to make a note of

• Since this is a religious place, make sure you dress appropriately.
• Carry a camera with you to capture some eye-catching sceneries.
• Not only the temple but even the way leading to it is beautiful. Take a tuk-tuk for a lovable journey to the temple.
• Entry to this temple is free of cost. However, the museum inside requires an entry ticket.
• Be prepared to be blown away by its beauty.

More attractions in Colombo

• National Museum of Colombo
• Galle Face Green
• Beira Lake
• Jami Ul-Alfar Mosque
• Pettah Floating Market
• Viharamahadevi Park

Gangaramaya Temple in Colombo is way beyond beautiful, right? Even if you are not someone who visits temple, just head to this place and you will get stunned by all the antique designs, statues and especially the collections in the museum. Trust me, Colombo itself is an absolute delight. So, what are you waiting for? Check out the Pickyourtrail website for some amazing Sri Lanka tour packages or customise a package with your choices. Unlock safe travel to Sri Lanka with Pickyourtrail.