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All Sri Lanka Colombo Gangaramaya Vihara Temple

Gangaramaya Vihara Temple

Why is there a vintage Rolls Royce in this Buddhist temple?

Colombo, Sri Lanka

Added By
Alan Newman
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Vintage Rolls, but why is it in a temple?   Dr Alan P Newman / Atlas Obscura User
Vintage Rolls, but why is it in a temple?   Dr Alan P Newman / Atlas Obscura User
  Dr Alan P Newman / Atlas Obscura User
  Dr Alan P Newman / Atlas Obscura User
  Franz Explorer / Atlas Obscura User
  Dr Alan P Newman / Atlas Obscura User
  Dr Alan P Newman / Atlas Obscura User
  Dr Alan P Newman / Atlas Obscura User
The holy tree   Dr Alan P Newman / Atlas Obscura User
Statue on display   neon astrolabe / Atlas Obscura User
  Dr Alan P Newman / Atlas Obscura User
  Franz Explorer / Atlas Obscura User
  Franz Explorer / Atlas Obscura User
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About

The Gangaramaya Vihara Temple is an unusual mix of a Buddhist temple and a museum, home to not only a number of vintage cars but an enormous amount of materials of dubious religious relevance, including gold, sapphires, sandalwood, elephant ivory, porcelain, Chinese statues, a cannon, stamps, watches, cameras, photographs, coins, two taxidermied elephants, stereos, shells, swords and other assorted knick-knacks.  Many of these items were gifts to the temple.

There is also a lot of specifically religious material, including a massive sacred tree in the centre of the complex. Nearby is the temple's most sacred relic, said to be a lock of the Buddha's hair donated from a temple in Bengal.

The main religious event held here is the Nevam Perahara procession held on the poya day (full moon) every February. Hundreds of monks take part in the procession in which sacred relics are carried in a casket on the back of a highly decorated elephant.

After receiving criticism for keeping a captive elephant that was used for religious ceremonies, the temple removed the elephant from public display.

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Temples Buddhism

Know Before You Go

Women should ensure they are appropriately dressed with legs and shoulders covered. Shawls are provided to cover exposed shoulders/legs if needed. Photography is forbidden inside the temple itself. Entrance is 300 rupees. In the region around the Colombo Fort railway station you may be approached by people who seem to be very helpful and offer to take you on a tour to the temple. You will probably be ripped off if you get into a non-metered Tuk Tuk with them.

Community Contributors

Added By

Dr Alan P Newman

Edited By

Russ Arno, ZoeSparks, neon astrolabe, Franz Explorer

  • Russ Arno
  • ZoeSparks
  • neon astrolabe
  • Franz Explorer

Published

November 1, 2016

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  • Travel Guide -> https://www.thingstodoinsrilanka.lk/top-5-things-to-do-in-colombo-sri-lanka/#gng
Gangaramaya Vihara Temple
Sri Jinarathana Rd
Colombo
Sri Lanka
6.916636, 79.856499
Visit Website
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Nearby Places

Pettah Floating Market

Colombo, Sri Lanka

miles away

Sri Lanka Planetarium

Colombo, Sri Lanka

miles away

Kayman’s Gate Bell Tower

Colombo, Sri Lanka

miles away

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of Colombo

Colombo

Sri Lanka

Places 8

Nearby Places

Pettah Floating Market

Colombo, Sri Lanka

miles away

Sri Lanka Planetarium

Colombo, Sri Lanka

miles away

Kayman’s Gate Bell Tower

Colombo, Sri Lanka

miles away

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of Colombo

Colombo

Sri Lanka

Places 8

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