If you find yourself in the city of Colombo, then you’re bound to hear about the Gangaramaya Temple, which is the most significant temple located within the heart of this tropical metropolis.
Early History
The story of the temple starts off sometime in the early 19th century when a wealthy shipping merchant, Don Bastian, bought some land from the Moors of that time and utilised his wealth to prepare the land for the construction of a temple.
Architecture
The temple is quite notable for its design, which bases itself on designs found across various countries such as Thailand, Sri Lanka, India and China. The beautiful design of the temple’s many buildings is further emphasised by the compound’s setting beside the Beira Lake.
Seema Malaka
This is probably the most iconic aspect of the Gangaramaya Temple, and is widely utilised for relaxation and mediation instead of worship. It’s construction was funded by a Muslim businessman and his wife in memory of their son.
Present Activities
The temple functions as a place of learning in addition to worship, and also engages in a lot of welfare work. Gangaramaya Temple is famous for being welcoming towards members of various other congregations and religions, attracting people staying in nearby luxury apartments in Colombo with examples such as Cinnamon Life.
Filled with wanderlust that seeks to explore distant shores and captivated by the colors and vibrancy of exotic cultures, 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. Google+
