KELANIYA RAJAMAHA VIHARAYA / ANCIENT HISTORICAL BUDDHIST TEMPLE
14:00 Hrs Depart from Pier to the Kelaniya Rajamaha Viharaya Buddhist Temple.
14:45 Hrs Arrive at the Temple and visit. See paintings & Murals.
15:45 Hrs Depart Temple and time for shopping.
16:30 Hrs Arrive at Ward Place Gems and Jewellery, Souvenirs and Handicrafts store.
17:30 Hrs Depart to Pier side.
18:00 Hrs Arrive at the Pier / Ship Side.
SERVICE INCLUDES
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Approximate Duration : |
04 Hours |
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Activity Level (Easy, Moderate, Strenuous) |
Easy |
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List of Sites Visited : |
Kelaniya Rajamaha Viharaya |
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Min No of Pax for Excursion : |
35 |
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Max No of Pax for Excursion : |
105 |
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Meals : |
Not included |
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Refreshment : |
Not included |
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Meal / Refreshment Venue : |
N/A |
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Entrance Fee : |
Included in Tour Cost |
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Guide Fee (Any Language) : |
Included in Tour Cost |
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Porterage & Tips |
Not included (Optional) |
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PARTICIPATION RESTRICTIONS |
|
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Min Age to Participate – | Max Age to Participate |
Nil |
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Min Height to Participate – | Max Height to Participate |
Nil |
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Min Weight to Participate – | Max Weight to Participate |
Nil |
|
Medical Restrictions (if applicable) |
No |
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Wheelchair Access Notes |
Not Recommended |
KELANIYA RAJAMAHA VIHARAYA
The spot on which this temple vihara stands derived its sanctity in the Buddhist era 2531. With the third visit of the Buddha to this country. He hallowed this ground by His visit accompanied by 500 Arahants.
The fact that the Buddha visited the spot on a Wesak Full Moon day on the invitation of King Maniakkhika is given in the historic epics of Sri Lanka.
Kelaniya Vihara however received its hallowed status and became a place of Buddhist worship after venerable Mahinda brought the Dhamma to this country. According to the Mahawansa, King Devanampiyatissa’s brother Uttiya renovated the vihara for the first time. He is also said to have built the first Quaters of the Monks (Sanghawasa) there.
Historical evidence shows that the Kelaniya Vihara was at its highest glory during the Kotte Era.
By the time the Portuguese conquered the country, considerable land had been donated by the kings to the Kelaniya Vihara. In 1510, the Portuguese entered and destroyed the sacred temple. They had confiscated this land preventing Buddhists from worshiping at the temple.
Restrictions placed on the development of Kelaniya were reduced with the advent of the Dutch. They in 1767 perhaps in order to gain King Kirthi Sri Rajasingha’s goodwill permitted the development of the Kelaniya Vihara. Thus the reconstruction of the Vihara was undertaken by the then Chief incumbent Venerable Mapitigama Buddharakkhita. He was provided with funds from the treasury and the King was so overjoyed at the way the work was handled that further grants of lands had been given to the vihara.
