Traversing The A1 Route of Sri Lanka – Visiting Kelaniya Temple
The Buddha is believed to have graced Kelaniya (at Kelaniya Temple) on his 3rd visit (between 589 BC and 544 BC) to the island and it is said bathed in the Kelani River which flows close to the temple on a Wesak poya day (full moon in May).
He hallowed this ground by his visit accompanied by 500 Arahaths (monks). Chronicles depict the visit was at the invitation of King Maniakkhika a Naga King (King of the Naga tribe), to partake in a meal following the preaching of the Dhamma. To commemorate the King had built a vehera wherein the Buddha’s hair and the utensils used together with the seat on which the Buddha sat were concealed.
Kelaniya Temple however, received its hallowed status and became a place of Buddhist worship after arahat Mahinda brought the Dhamma to this country between 307 and 267 BC. According to the Mahawansa (a chronicle depicting Sri Lanka) King Devanampiyatissa’s brother Uttiya renovated the vihara (Buddhist Monastery) for the first time. He is also said to have built the first residence of the Monks (Sanghawasa) here. Historical evidence shows that the Kelaniya Temple was at its highest glory during the Kotte Era (1412-1597). During this period a considerable portion of land had been donated by the kings to the Kelaniya Temple, and when in 1510 the Portuguese entered and destroyed the sacred temple, they confiscated this land preventing Buddhists from worshiping at the temple. Restrictions placed on the development of Kelaniya were reduced with the advent of the Dutch. In 1767 perhaps in order to gain goodwill with the King Kirthi Sri Rajasingha he was permitted to develop Kelaniya Vihara. Thus the reconstruction of the Vihara was undertaken by the then Chief incumbent Venerable Mapitigama Buddharakkhita. He was provided with funds from the treasury. The King was so overjoyed at the way the work was handled that further grants of lands had been given to the vihara.
Kelani Temple is situated about 10 kilometres from Colombo, and is set within a sacred area of around ten acres.
An Annual perehera, though on a smaller scale than that in Kandy, is held during the lunar month of Duruthu (January). This very colourful perehera is well worth seeing, particularly as it is so convenient for those living in and around Colombo.
(For more articles visit Visit aganthuka.com
He hallowed this ground by his visit accompanied by 500 Arahaths (monks). Chronicles depict the visit was at the invitation of King Maniakkhika a Naga King (King of the Naga tribe), to partake in a meal following the preaching of the Dhamma. To commemorate the King had built a vehera wherein the Buddha’s hair and the utensils used together with the seat on which the Buddha sat were concealed.
Kelaniya Temple however, received its hallowed status and became a place of Buddhist worship after arahat Mahinda brought the Dhamma to this country between 307 and 267 BC. According to the Mahawansa (a chronicle depicting Sri Lanka) King Devanampiyatissa’s brother Uttiya renovated the vihara (Buddhist Monastery) for the first time. He is also said to have built the first residence of the Monks (Sanghawasa) here. Historical evidence shows that the Kelaniya Temple was at its highest glory during the Kotte Era (1412-1597). During this period a considerable portion of land had been donated by the kings to the Kelaniya Temple, and when in 1510 the Portuguese entered and destroyed the sacred temple, they confiscated this land preventing Buddhists from worshiping at the temple. Restrictions placed on the development of Kelaniya were reduced with the advent of the Dutch. In 1767 perhaps in order to gain goodwill with the King Kirthi Sri Rajasingha he was permitted to develop Kelaniya Vihara. Thus the reconstruction of the Vihara was undertaken by the then Chief incumbent Venerable Mapitigama Buddharakkhita. He was provided with funds from the treasury. The King was so overjoyed at the way the work was handled that further grants of lands had been given to the vihara.
Kelani Temple is situated about 10 kilometres from Colombo, and is set within a sacred area of around ten acres.
An Annual perehera, though on a smaller scale than that in Kandy, is held during the lunar month of Duruthu (January). This very colourful perehera is well worth seeing, particularly as it is so convenient for those living in and around Colombo.
(For more articles visit Visit aganthuka.com
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