Gangaramaya (Vihara) Buddhist Temple

Gangaramaya is one of Colombo's most important and eclectic Buddhist temples, a working temple, monastery, and museum rolled into one, famous for its astonishing accumulation of treasures and curiosities. Alongside the shrine halls, bo tree, and a large seated Buddha, its museum rooms are crammed with an extraordinary, almost overwhelming collection: countless Buddha statues from across Asia, vintage cars, antiques, jewellery, gifts from devotees, and oddities of every kind. It's part place of worship, part cabinet of curiosities.

The temple is the focus of Colombo's spectacular Navam Perahera festival each February, when elephants, dancers, and drummers parade through the city. It's a fascinating, busy, and welcoming stop, with its serene lakeside meditation pavilion (Seema Malaka, on Beira Lake) a short walk away as a tranquil counterpoint.

Niet missen

• The eclectic museum of Buddha statues, antiques, and curiosities
• The main shrine halls and large seated Buddha
• The sacred bo tree
• The lakeside Seema Malaka meditation pavilion nearby
• The February Navam Perahera festival

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Goed om te weten

• Dress modestly and remove shoes; it's an active temple.
• The museum rooms are an overwhelming treasure-trove, give them time.
• Combine it with the tranquil lakeside Seema Malaka pavilion nearby.
• If you're in Colombo in February, the Navam Perahera parade is unforgettable.

Een stukje geschiedenis

Founded in the late 19th century, Gangaramaya grew under influential monks into one of Sri Lanka's most important temples and a centre of Buddhist learning and social work. Its eclectic museum collection accumulated over decades from donations and acquisitions; the associated lakeside Seema Malaka was redesigned by famed architect Geoffrey Bawa.