Kelaniya Raja Maha Viharaya

The Kelaniya Raja Maha Viharaya is located in the city of Kelaniya and is one of the most sacred and venerated site in our country. According to legend, Lord Buddha has visited Sri Lanka thrice. The first visit was to Mahiyangana, the second to Nagadeepa and the third to Kelaniya. On the eight year after attaining enlightenment, the Lord Buddha, visited Kelaniya along with 500 Arahants after accepting the invitation extended by Maniakkhika; the ‘Naga’ king of Kelaniya. On arrival, the Buddha then preached the doctrine to the King and his citizens. It was during this visit to Kelaniya that the Lord Buddha had visited Adam’s Peak and placed his footprint there. In order to commemorate this event, the King is said to have built a stupa here.
Prince Uttiya; the brother of King Devanampiyatissa is said to have reconstructed the Kelaniya Temple and built a monastery as well. This temple was destroyed several times due to Dravidian invasions and the Portuguese too destroyed the temple during their reign. However, this temple was reconstructed every time. In 1967, King Kirthi Sri Rajasingha rebuilt the temple after it was demolished by the Portuguese. In 1946, the New Temple was completed under the patronage of Mrs. Helena Wijewardene; a philanthropist.
The upper terrace consists of the image house, Bo tree and the Dagaba. The New Temple House section consists of the ‘Oth Pilima Ge’ which houses two seated Buddha statues and a reclining Buddha statue, the ‘Ran Pilima Ge’ which houses a seated Buddha statue and the Golden Buddha Image House.
When the Portuguese destroyed this temple, the ancient sculptures and murals too were destroyed. As a result, there weren’t ancient murals, only murals belonging to the 18th and early 20th century.
Each year, the Duruthu Perahera is held on the pre-full moon day of the month of January. Both locals and foreigners flock to Kelaniya to witness this extravagant procession featuring dancers, trumpeters, drummers, whip crackers, torch carriers, flag carriers and elephants. There are three separate processions; that of the Buddha relics and the three shrines devoted to the Kataragama, Vishnu and Vibishana Gods.