Kelaniya Raja Maha Vihara - A Hallowed Site of Buddhist Pilgrimage

by racoles

Article by Pushpitha Wijesinghe

Among the cities of Sri Lanka that boasts a proud historical heritage, the city of Kelaniya holds a special place. Todayâ??s Kelaniya is an industrial and commercial centre, with an extensive urban population, due to the cityâ??s proximity to the countryâ??s commercial capital. As such, it is not imbued with the same old-world charm and serenity that suffuses most of Sri Lankaâ??s other, more prominent heritage-scapes.

Yet, this is a region that appears in records that well pre-date the first Indian settlements, such as the Ramayana. The cityâ??s main claim to legendary veneration comes from records of the Buddha having made a visit here during his lifetime, at the behest of the then-tribal king. It is also the famous birthplace of Singhalese heroes such as Queen Vihara Maha Devi and King Dutugamunu and has been known throughout Asia as a centre of Buddhist learning until its ultimate destruction at the hands of Dravidian and Portuguese invaders.

The foremost cultural and religious jewel that stands testament to the enduring historical repute of the city is the Kelaniya Raja Maha Vihara, or the Kelaniya Royal Temple. The majestic white stupa that appears on the west bank of the River Kelani, along the Colombo-Kandy route, 10 kilometres away from Colombo, is one of the largest and most revered Buddhist shrines in Sri Lanka. The temple complex, which encompasses ten acres, is reputed to be built on the very site which the Buddha is believed to have preached the Dharma during His third visit to the isle, according to the local historical chronicles of the Dipavamsa and Chulavamsa.

The visit of the Buddha to this hallowed site is said to have taken place on a Vesak (May) full moon day eight years after His Enlightenment, at the invitation of the Naga tribal king, Maniakkhika. The jewelled throne the Buddha sat on during His preaching, His hair and some of His utensils is said to have been enshrined in the stupa by the Naga king. If this assertion is true, the Kelani stupa woul! d well p redate the ones built at the actual advent of Buddhism to Sri Lanka, which took place during the Asokan era in the 3rd century BC. The architectural form of the stupa, which takes the shape of a heap of grain, is said to remain unchanged from the days of its original construction.

The Duruthu Maha Perahera is headquartered at and held by the Kelaniya Royal Temple every January to commemorate this historic visit. This is a procession of royal pageantry whose splendour is only second to that of the Dalada Perahera of Kandy, featuring an entourage of fire-dancers, whip-crackers, standard, bearers and gorgeously caparisoned elephants.

The temple is said to have flourished during the 15th century as a world-renowned centre of learning, until the Portuguese invaders confiscated much of the temple lands during their occupation of the islandâ??s coast. The subsequent Dutch takeover of these regions and their friendlier relations with the Sri Lankan king saw the temple complex restored to its former glory. It was again rescued from dereliction and restored during the 20th century under the patronage of one Ms Helena Wijewardana.

Today, the temple complex comprises the magnificent stupa, old and new shrines and an extensive monastic quarters. It is a showcase of the Sri Lankan low countryâ??s artistic and architectural heritage, with its dragon arches, lion-dragon arches and the graceful sculptures of the reclining Buddha and deities. The statue of Lord Hanuman and the relatively recent erection of the 18 foot Bodhisattva Avalokitesvara are the standout features here, while the murals and frescoes are also much-lauded. The majority of the newer art restoration owes their authentic beauty to the illustrious master of neo-classical artistic tradition, Solis Mendis, especially the vestibule ceiling of the old shrine which depicts a symbolic cosmological diagram of the heavens.

This temple is one of the key locations for those who travel to Sri Lanka seeking culture sight-seeing spots. Touri! sts wish ing to learn more information about this and other like cultural monuments of the land are directed to the travel portal Truly Sri Lanka, which provides up-to-date information essential for planning a successful tour Sri Lanka.

About the Author

Pushpitha Wijesinghe is an experienced independent freelance writer. He specializes in providing a wide variety of content and articles related to the travel hospitality industry.