Thousands of Buddhist devotees make a pilgrimage to the Kande Viharaya Temple in Aluthgama ,Sri Lanka which is greatly venerated by them. Kande Viharaya Temple is so called because it stands on a hill in Kaluwamodera, Aluthgama, a short distance away from the main Colombo- Galle Road. Some call it the Bentota Kande Viharaya as it is close to the town of Bentota, a major tourist hub. The term Resort Bentota refers to a variety of accommodation and if you are looking for comfort and aqua sports then AVANI Bentota Resort and Spa would be a good choice.
Kande Viharaya Temple was founded by the Venerable Karapagala Dewamitta Thera in 1734 and plays an important role in socio-cultural and religious activities of the country. It became a refuge for the victims of the Tsunami in December 2004 and a memorial for them is found in the chambers below the 160 feet statue of the sitting Buddha, the globe’s tallest. The outer chamber has life size statues of Sri Lankan Kings. The inner chamber has Buddha statues and paintings depicting the life and teachings of the Buddha. The entrance to this temple is modern having been built in 2009 and has a thorana modeled on the one in Sanchi, India.
The original stupa erected by the venerable Udugama Chandrasara in the year 2327 of the Buddhist era was very small. A larger stupa enclosing the original stupa was built in the year 2479 of the Buddhist era by the venerable Pothuwila Saranatissa Thera. The stupa is 27 feet high and is dome shaped .A row of lotus petals run above the basal rings and around the dome. Intricate designs embellish the Hatharas Kotuwa and the Devatha Kotuwa. The Relic Chamber is the oldest building and houses the sacred Buddha Relics and the relics of Arahath Seevali. A moonstone lies at the entrance to the relic chamber. A Bo Tree, 09 Devales and the Khettarama Pirivena established by the Venerable Hikkaduwe Sri Sumangala Thera are part of the temple complex.
Catalina Forbes is a travel writer who bases her content on many thrilling escapades experienced across the world.
