Yet another sacred place to be visited in Colombno is the
Gangaramaya Temple. It has been recognized as a influential travelling
destination among the both local and foreign tourists and pilgrims. The
Gangarama Buddhist temple is located nearby the Brira lake.
It is built around 1800s. In contrast the temple is 120 year
old, but compared to the other temples of Sri Lankan history it is new. Not
only in the Poya days most of the time the temple is congregated with
worshippers and tourists. The temple was positioned by Venerable Hikkaduwe
Sumangala nayaka thero.
Yet he is the founder Vidyodaya Pirivena in Sri Lanka
provides educational and orientation facilities for Bhikkus. But now it is
transformed and known as the University of Sri jayawardenapura. Devundara Sri
Jinarathana Nayaka thero was the administrator of the Gangarama temple. Further
Hikkaduwe Sri Sumangala nayaka thero formed a foundation to maintain the
temple. It is a proud to say that a hair relic of Lord Buddha was gifted from
Bangladesh. This holy relic was placed at the Gangaramaya temple.
The long perimeter wall is decorated with dwarfs, Buddhists
believe that such pigmy statues avoid the bad luck and bring you the
prosperity. The temple is constituted of a library and a museum rather than
other temples.
In order to visit the temple the visitors are expected to
behave respectably. A pure white dress is the preferred dress code. It may
resemble that the purity must not bordered within your wearing but from the
deepest point of your heart. You can take photographs with the temple elephant
as well as playing and feeding it. The image house or the Vihara geya consists
of a golden Buddha statue. It is also covered with Monuments of Some other
gods, paintings and frescoes as well. Next to the image house is a sacred Bo
tree. There are so many gifts that have been presented to the gangaramaya
Temple by many venerable persons and gentlemen. They are preserved in a Special
museum at Gangaramaya. If you are interested to see them you can visit there.
The smallest Buddha statue in Sri Lanka is also conserved in the temple. Even
it is tinier than your thumb.
In 1958 Galbada Gnanissara Thero was handed over the
retentiveness of the temple by Vacissara Nayaka thero. Navam perahera was
planned by him to ensure Buddhism in Sri Lanka. It is held at every Navam Full
moon Poya day. The first perahera took place in 1979. Since now it is one of
the remarkable religious and cultural event in Sri Lanka. Nearly about 100
colorfully decorated elephants, drummers, dancers, fire dancers and more are
decorating this perahera. travelers can enjoy the Perahera while seating at the
premises. Drummers, traditional Kandyan dancers, fire-dances, whip-dances and
Flags and Decorations will be displayed in the Navam Maha Perahera of Sri Lanka.
