Bellanwila Rajamaha Viharaya

bellanwila temple — Bellanwila Vihara By Shehanw (Own work) [CC BY-SA 3.0], via Wikimedia Commons

The bedrock of Sri Lankan faith lies around Buddhism. The religion is widely followed across the country and monuments belonging to Buddhism can be found all across the country. The capital of the country even though rapidly urbanizing still cherishes these temples. Temples in Colombo are located in the heart as well as away from the centre. Most tourists who come to Sri Lanka often prefer to stay in hotels that are in close proximity to the beach and where they can freely access the beach. Mount Lavinia, which located close to Colombo is one such place. Excellent location due to its close proximity to the city, the beach can be easily accessed and there are quite a few activities going around here. Among the various places to stay in Mount Lavinia one that has been praised over the years is the old colonial style hotel, Mount Lavinia Hotel.

If one wants to learn about the religion and culture of the country while staying in Colombo or its suburbs there are several places to do so. One of the temples that are located in the outskirts of Colombo is Bellanwila temple. This temple is one of the most venerated temples in the island. The temple gains significant prominence due to the sacred Bodhi tree. According to chronological records, the Bodhi tree is believed to be one of the saplings from that of the one in Anuradhapura which was planted in the 3rd century BC to mark the arrival of Buddhism in the country.

When Kotte became the capital of the country under the king Parakramabahu VI the temple gained significant patronage under him. Thus, the temple is of utmost importance to the locals in the area.

Filled with wanderlust that seeks to explore distant shores and captivated by the colors and vibrancy of exotic cultures, Melissa Somawardana, concealed under the name of Kanya Mae, writes on the beautiful, exciting, and enchanting wonders of the world. She is a writer who not only has a passion for travel, but also has a background in fashion, art and media.

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