Located near the Beira Lake, this Buddhist temple is a religiously prominent place among all the other important temples in Colombo.
About
The Gangaramaya Temple is run by the monk, Galboda Gnanissara Thera and is home to a library, a museum, and a lone temple elephant. The museum has an extravagant collection of jewels and stones that have been gifted by the devotees and worshippers over the years, while the library has every scripture imaginable. If you are curious about the religion, this place is well worth a visit.
Location
The temple is a short walk away from hotels like Cinnamon Hotels & Resorts, and regardless of which hotel in Colombo, Sri Lanka you are at, you should spend an evening observing the Buddhist rituals at this temple. If you are in town during poya or full moon days, you are in for a treat as the festivals during the full moon are eerily mesmerising to watch.
When to go
The Vesak festival that is celebrated with lanterns of all sizes and colours imaginable can also be seen at the temple. With a lake as its backdrop, jaw dropping decorations are an easy feat and the Gangaramaya Temple beats to the punch by having the most vivid and bright decorations in town.
Catalina Forbes is a travel writer who bases her content on many thrilling escapades experienced across the world.