8 Buddhist Temples to Explore in Sri Lanka
Checkout places to visit in Sri Lanka
An island country in South Asia, located in the Indian Ocean southwest of the Bay of Bengal and southeast of the Arabian Sea. It is geographically separated from the Indian subcontinent by the Gulf of Mannar and the Palk Strait. Sri Lanka's documented history spans 3,000 years, with evidence of prehistoric human settlements dating back at least 125,000 years.
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Buddhist Temples to Explore in Sri Lanka
Abhayagiri Vihāra was a primary religious site in Mahayana, Theravada and Vajrayana Buddhism located in Anuradhapura, Sri Lanka and it is one of the most extensive ruins in the world. It is one of the holiest Buddhist pilgrimage cities in the country.
It is also known as Gal Viharaya and formerly as the Uttararama.It is a rock temple of the Buddha located in North Central Province, Sri Lanka and was created in the 12th century by Parakramabahu I, the king of the old Kingdom of Polonnaruwa. The temple's central feature is four rock relief statues of the Buddha, which are carved into the face of a granite rock.
Gangaramaya Temple is one of the most important temples in Sri Lanka and one of the most popular places for tourists and locals. The temple displays Buddhist legends and their stories, also various statues and antiques. You can also see believers performing their religious rituals, It’s recommended to visit the temple in February, where many celebrations and events occur.
Kelaniya Raja Maha Vihara is a Buddhist temple. Although it was destroyed twice, it still retains its original form as it was. The Germans restored it in the 18th century. Locals believe that Buddha visited this temple, and that’s where the temple earned its fame.
Nagadipa Purana Vihara is a Buddhist temple and it is one of the 16 holiest Buddhist shrines in Sri Lanka. Nagadipa Purana Vihara is known as the place where Buddha visited to resolve the dispute between two kings of Naga.
It is a Buddhist Stupa located in the old city of Polonnaruwa and situated in the Somawathiya National Park on the Mahaweli River's left edge. It is believed to built to enshrine the right canine relic of the tooth of the Buddha. It is named after Princess Somawathi, the sister of King Kavantissa, and the wife of regional ruler Prince Abhaya.
Temple of Tooth Relic is a Buddhist temple, in Kandy city in the royal complex. This temple is considered as one of the most important temples for Buddhist because it has a sacred room which houses Buddha's tooth.