Kelaniya Raja Maha Vihara
Western Province
About Kelaniya Raja Maha Vihara
Kelaniya Raja Maha Vihara, on the banks of the Kelani river just outside Colombo, is one of the most sacred sites in Sri Lankan Buddhism: tradition holds that the Buddha himself visited this spot, and a dagoba has stood here for well over two thousand years. The present temple is a masterpiece of 20th-century Buddhist art - its shrine halls are covered in murals by the painter Solias Mendis, who spent nearly two decades depicting the life of the Buddha and the history of the island in a luminous style that has become iconic. Carved elephant friezes, a great reclining Buddha, and the sacred Bo tree complete the complex. Each January, the Duruthu Perahera - a torch-lit procession of drummers, dancers, and elephants - draws hundreds of thousands and rivals Kandy's great festival.
Top Activities
- ✓Viewing the Solias Mendis murals
- ✓Morning puja at the main shrine
- ✓Duruthu Perahera festival (January full moon)
- ✓Riverside walk along the Kelani
- ✓Combine with a Colombo city day
Nearby Attractions
Travel Tips
Only 30–40 minutes from central Colombo by tuk-tuk or train.
Poya (full moon) days are atmospheric but very busy.
Photography of the murals is allowed without flash - be discreet during worship.
Quick Info
Best Time
Year-round; January for Duruthu Perahera
Weather
Hot and humid year-round; mornings are the most pleasant.
Estimated Daily Budget
6.9553°N, 79.9216°E
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