Temples in Sri Lanka

Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic or Sri Dalada Maligawa,is one of the most sacred Buddhist temples in Sri Lanka. Located within the premises of the Royal Palace Complex of Kandy facing Kandy Lake. The golden chamber housing the tooth of Buddha, museums, and bo trees are populr attractions.

Gangaramaya Temple is a popular 19th century Buddhist temple in Sri Lanka with a unique blend of architectural styles from Sri Lanka, Thailand, Chinese and India. There are several buildings including a museum housing decorations, artifacts, Buddhist statues and ornaments. Bodhi tree and the library with Buddhist sciptures are other popular attraction.

Isipathanaramaya in Havelock Town, Colombo, was built in 1916 by the merchant D D Pedris in memory of his son Henry, shot by the British during the unrest of 1915 on a charge later held to have been unjust. Its shrine room is covered in murals by Maligawa Sarlis. Of the temples on this list it is the one that grew out of a modern grievance rather than an ancient foundation.

Probably among the most famous Buddhist Temples in the world, Vajiraramaya Temple established in 1901 by Pelene Sri Vajiraramaya Maha Nayaka Thera is known for its resident monks from all over the world and alumni from all over the world. This temple in Sri Lanka plays a huge role in educating the youth on the principles of Buddhism, and teaches thousands of students every year.

Located in the northernmost part of Sri Lanka in Jaffna, Keerimalai Naguleswaram temple is among the Pancha Ishwarams of Lord Shiva. One of the oldest and most beautiful temples in Sri Lanka, it is revered by Hindus from all over the world. A lake found adjacent to the temple, Keerimalai Springs is believed to have medicinal properties by the locals.

The oldest Hindu Temple in Colombo, Sri Kailawasanathan Swami Devasthanam is a temple devoted to Lord Ganesha and Shiva and was built by Indians in the 18th century. It stands in Colombo Fort, within walking distance of Fort Train Station. This temple in Sri Lanka is also a site for Tamil wedding ceremonies.

The Koneswaram temple, also known as the "Kailasa of the South", is an important temple in Sri Lanka, located above the bay in Triconmalee with of the Indian Ocean. Hiking to the temple from the beach, and watching deers and peacocks freely roaming are main attration. There is parking near the temple but buses are not allowed uphill. There are several gift shops and small eateries on the way.

Muthiyangana Temple is an ancient Buddhist temple located in Badulla District. This temple in Sri Lanka believed to be visited by Buddha and is an important sacred site for the followers of Buddhism. Some of the main attrations of the temple are the old pagodas and the shrine hall with ancient Buddhist paintings. Parking and accomodation facilities are available near the temple.

A vital temple complex that built in 1000 CE, Munneswaram Temple is among the Pancha Ishwaram temples in Sri Lanka dedicated to Lord Shiva. A collection of five temples which includes a Buddhist Temple, and the biggest and most famous temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva. The complex is also the site of Munneswaram Festival, a four-week-long event attended by Buddhists and Hindus alike.

The Dambulla Cave Temple or the Golden Temple of Dambullais a UNESCO World Heritage Site, located in the Matale District, in the central province of Sri Lanka. It is the best-preserved and largest cave temples in Sri Lanka. It comprises of five main caves, with statues of Lord Buddha, and paintings and statues of kings and Lord Vishnu.

Maviddapuram Kandaswamy Temple was commissioned by an 8th century Chola Princess in gratitude honouring the God Murugan for taking away her illness and horse-like disfigurement. Although the temple was rebuilt at certain times, the present-day temple dates back to the 17th century and has the biggest Cahriot in Sri Lanka.

Located in the heart of Colombo city near the harbour, Sri Ponnambalam Vanesar Kovil is the only temple in Sri Lanka made entirely of granite. The temple has intricate carvings and designs, receives hundreds of pilgrims daily, and hosts several festivals and pujas. Cameras are banned inside the premises and long, temple-appropriate clothing is required.

The Peace Pagoda in the small town of Ampara in Sri Lanka is a holy buddhist temple in Sri Lanka. There are around 5 such peace temples across Sri Lanka and were commisioned after the World War II to aim at a non-violent vision of the world. The temple is surrounded by greenery and has a view of the Ampara tank. It is best visited in the evenings, and there are chances of spotting elephants.

This beautiful historical complex of temples in Sri Lanka is located at the southern port town of Tenavaram near Galle. Tenavaram Temple is known for its Dravidian style(Kerala) architecture. The Shiva Shrine among the temples is revered as one of the Pancha Ishwarams while the biggest and most famous shrine is dedicated to Lord Vishnu. Parking and accomodation facilities are available nearby.

Known for its beautiful Kandyan-era murals and architecture, Degaldoruwa Raja Maha Vihara is an ancient Buddhist Rock Temple located in the city of Amunugama in Kandy. Commissioned by King Kirti Sri Ranjasinha in 1771, this cave temple in Sri Lanka is constructed out of a rock that stood at a height of about 13 meters.

Believed to be the site where Buddha first visited in Sri Lanka, Mahiyangana Raja Maha Vihara is an ancient Buddhist Temple in the city of Mahiyangana. It is also among the 16 sacred places for Buddhists in Sri Lanka to have been visited by Buddha called Solosmasthana. This temple in Sri Lanka was declared as an archaeological site.