kelaniya raja maha viharaya

                kelaniya rajamaha viharaya

                
         
 

From Colombo city nearly 6 miles, you can reach kelaniya city. It was the capital city of king kelanitissa. He is the scion of king devanam piya tissa. On this main city Situated very famous Buddhist temple. All of Buddhist people believe Buddha have been hallowed his third and final visit to srilanka.

The kelaniya raja maha viharaya is located nearly ten -acre land outlined by the Kelaniya River. This legends land that the Buddha was invited by the naga king. The city was connected with the epic of Ramayana in that Kelaniya's Prince Vibhisana was befriended by Lord Rama of India in his battle against King Ravana of Lanka. A younger brother of Ravana, Vibhisana, like his brother, propitiated Brahma, and obtained a boon in return of a vow.

The temple flourished during the Kotte era but much of its land was confiscated during the Portuguese empire. Under the Dutch empire, however, there were new gifts of land and under the patronage of King Kirthi Sri Rajasingha the temple was rebuilt. It was refurbished in the first half of the 20th century with the help of Helena Wijewardana.