Colombo Things to Do Tips by tommix

Gangaramaya (Vihara) Buddhist Temple Temples Review

Certainly the most impressive Buddhist temple I have seen in Colombo. There is even a small museum attached to.
It is beautifully decorated with stone carving, brass work, and other forms of Buddhist art. The temple is not only a place of worship but also a centre of learning. Every Tuesday and Friday, meditation classes are held from 5.00 till 6.30 p.m.
The temple is widely known for organizing Nawam Perahera, a religious procession, held around the Full Moon Poya day in February. Hundreds of dancers, dressed in traditional costumes representing the different dance traditions of Sri Lanka, accompanied by drummers, colourfully dressed up elephants (the temple possesses six elephants and tuskers) and over 500-700 Buddhists monks from all over the island take part in the procession.
The small temple in the middle of Beira Lake, next to Oberoi Hotel, which is called Simamalaka, is also part of the Gangarama temple and is nearly a century old. The original Simamalaka fell into ruin and collapsed into Beira Lake. The present Simamalaka was opened in 1979. A model of the foot of the Buddha sculptured in marble, has been donated to Gangaramaya temple, and is placed in the Simamalaka.

Address: 61 Sri Jinaratana Road, Colombo 2

Directions: near Galle Road

The oldest Kovil (Hindu temple) in Colombo Temples Review

Sri Kailasanathar Swami Devasthanam is situated behind the Fort Railway Station it is considered as the oldest and one of the largest Hindu temples in Colombo. Houses shrines dedicated to Shiva and Ganesh.
Temple has several elaborate gopurams.

Address: 11/15 Captain's Garden, Colombo

Directions: behind Fort Railway Station