Kelaniya Raja Maha Vihara (Colombo) FAQs In 2026 - 2027

Kelaniya Raja Maha Vihara is a historic Buddhist temple located in Kelaniya, near Colombo, Sri Lanka. It is a sacred pilgrimage site for Buddhists as it is believed to have been visited by the Buddha himself. The temple is renowned for its religious significance, historical value, and impressive artwork.

Kelaniya Raja Maha Vihara is historically significant for being one of the three places in Sri Lanka that the Buddha is said to have visited during his lifetime. According to legend, the Buddha visited Kelaniya on the invitation of the Naga King Maniakkhika to preach the Dharma, making the site hallowed ground for Buddhists.

Visitors to Kelaniya Raja Maha Vihara can see various attractions such as the stupa enshrining sacred relics, beautifully painted murals depicting scenes from the Buddha’s life, an elegant image house, the Bodhi tree, and various statues and carvings. The temple also features an impressive dagoba (stupa), a relic chamber, and an 18-foot stone statue of the Bodhisattva Avalokitesvara.