The Kelaniya Raja Maha Vihara or Kelaniya Temple is a Buddhist temple in Kelaniya, Sri Lanka, seven miles from Colombo. Buddhists believe the temple to have been hallowed during the third and final visit of the Lord Buddha to Sri Lanka, eight years after gaining enlightenment. Its history would thus go back to before 500 BCE. The Mahawansa records that the original Stupa at Kelaniya enshrined a gem-studded throne on which the Buddha sat and preached. Kelaniya Raja Maha Vihara has become famous because of the beautiful paintings and sculpture by Solias Mendis depicting various events in the history of Sri Lanka
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Ambagaspitiya Ambalama is a 18th century wayside rest built on granite pillars in Mahara Divisional Secretariat. The ambalama is situated on the Yakkala-Radawana road, 4.7 km from Yakkala. The ambalama is built with 12 granite pillars with a design similar to the Gallindawatta Ambalama few kilometers away. A half height brick and mortar wall goes around the ambalama with a entrance on the northern side. The granite pillars are decorated with various carvings. The stone pillars have peculiar carvings depicting the scenes of Ramayana such as the Hanuman with the chunk of earth with medicinal plants, which are all rare themes in Sri Lanka. The pillar top (pekada) is made of wood and is exquisitely carved. The roof is the typical kandyan style (doubled pitched hipped roof) and tiled with semi cylindrical barrel clay tiles (sinhala ulu)
Sri Lanka tourism destinations most of the time historically significant for locals and international visitors both alike, thus the Kodigahakanda Forest Reserve is historically an invaluable spreading across over 36 acres, dividing into three major lands. The most Uniqueness is the Flag Staff Mountains that is the name derived from, standing for its strategic location in observing the most crucial standpoints of Sinhalese history. Apart from that, the historical evidence proves that the nearby area used to host the foreign delegations of different dynasties including royals. Uniqueness * Sinhalese strategic stronghold historically * Natural forest reserve
The history of Kotte Raja Maha Vihara dates back to the Kingdom of Kotte. During the reign of King Parakumbha VI (1415-1467) the construction of the temple was begun and completed in all aspects with the royal patronage. King built the temple closer to his royal palace, to do the necessary duties to the Sangha community. The vibrant pageant of the Vihara is an annual event that attracts large crowds to enjoy traditional dancing of the country – Kandyan, Low Country, Sabaragamuwa, and some modern items
