Gangaramaya Vihara was established in 19th century by Venerable Hikkaduewe Sri Sumanga Thero (1827-1911) who was also the great founder of University Sri Jayewardenepura of Sri Lanka , named as Vidyodaya Pirivena Maligakanda monastic college when found in year 1873. Gangaramaya Vihara is one of the most prominent and important Buddhist Temple in the center of Colombo. The complex structure was built in modern architecture with mixed cultural essence influenced by Thai, Indian, Chinese and local Sri Lankan in design and style. It divides into two main sections, the temple and the assembly Hall for monks, located short distance away from the main building. Main building comprises of a Vihara, a pagoda (Ceitiya), the Bhodi tree Vihara Mandiraya, and a Relic Chamber.
Within its premises, there is also a three storey Pirivena (college), an education hall, a residential hall, an alms hall, a library and a museum.
Gangaramaya Vihara which was a home to many scholars in the past, is now a place for Buddhist worship, a center of learning, and a historical museum. The temple also involves in welfare work like old folks home, orphanage and vocational school.
The huge Buddha Image inside the main sanctuary adorned with two large elephant tusks, are surrounded by beautifully decorated statues and sculptures with brightly painted frescoes on the walls.
The impressive overhead ceiling medallion at main Shrine Hall.
The entire shrine is covered with monuments of various posture of Buddha, deities and luxuriant paintings.
The Hall is glaring with striking gold.
The life of Lord Buddha is beautifully painted on the walls.
The extravagant little shrines inside the sanctuary.
Compare to other temple sites, Gangaramaya Temple is more like a historical museum than a temple for worship
Buddha seated images with various hand signs and stone stupa at the yard in front of Relic Chamber appear something like Borobudur in Indonesia. The Abbot Venerable Podihamuduruwo told us that the structure now under construction behind these sculptures is a large stupa which would be fully gilded in gold foil after it is completed.
The relic chamber
The sacred relic casket adorned with gems is enshrined in a glass chamber.
It is the greatest honor in our life, to receive the blessing from the chief monk of Gangaramaya Temple, Venerable Podihamuduruwo (Galboda Gnanissara) in the Relic Chamber. Sadhu, Sadhu, Sadhu!
Paying homage to the Hair Relic of Buddha in the Relic Chamber.
Venerable Podihamuduruwo personally tied a red blessing string with three Bhodi seed beads on our wrist, fill us up with bliss in triple gems.
The Venerable further present us a wonderful gift, a gold coin with image of Phra Sivali Arahant, which is a Buddhist icon of luck and good fortune. Most important is Sivali Arahant has the power to protect one from dangers. During Buddha's time, he protected Buddha from all dangers. We were really moved and touched by the kindness and compassion of The Abbot.
The Venerable is giving us a brief introduction on the Relic Chamber.
Bowing to Venerable Podihamuduruwo before we left for Sima-Malaka Hall. Venerable Podihamuduruwo was ordained by Ven. vacissara Nayake Thera in November 1954 and took up the responsibility of running the temple affairs after the health of his master declined. He focus on education and basing on cultural aspect, to further develop and expand the activities of the temple. The Navam Perahera cultural pageant that displays the rich religious and cultural tradition of Sri Lanka, held annually in February was one of his great jobs. The possession of hundreds of monks clad with majestic elephant carrying the sacred relics casket, and cultural dances from all part of the country parading on the streets, had become one of the two great festivals in the nation. It attracts thousands and thousands of people local and abroad.
Some of the interesting gifts received by the Temple that exhibited in the hall.
The prosperous Bhodi tree at site was a Bo sapling brought back from the great Sri Maha Bodhiya in Anuradhapura.
Buddha Image at Bodhi Tree Vihara Mandiraya.
This section contains mostly the Mahayana stuff and images.
The 120 years old Sima-Malaka Monks Assembly Hall, standing in Beira Lake at the center of the national capital, Colombo, is an attraction to many tourists. The architecture, the history and being a sacred ordaination venue for Sangha makes it an interesting and important sight to visit.
It was said that the site of Sima-Malaka Monks Assembly Hall was originally a small hermitage on a piece of marshy land near Beira Lake and was bought up by the famous 19th century ship trader Don Bastian (Mudaliyar) to build it into a temple for Monk Sri Dharrama Thero. The temple was built with rails and moat and a decorative arch. A standing statue of a Sandakada Pahana modeled on the one found in Anuradhapura was placed at the temple entrance and a Bo sapling was bought back from Sri Maha Bhodiya in Anuradhapura and planted.
A sacred place right in the center of bustling city.
Lines of seated Buddha images with various posture in hand signs have become a great and unique background for many photographers.
A Myanmar jade image of Buddha inside the shrine of Monks Assembly Hall and its standing Sandakada Pahan overlooking the city.
The lovely new wed couple and the free roaming Pelican at Beira Lake.
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