Bellanwila Raja Maha Viharaya
A revered temple in Colombo's southern suburbs, famous for a sacred Bo tree linked to the Sri Maha Bodhi and its Esala Perahera every August or September.
Bellanwila Raja Maha Viharaya, in the southern suburbs near Boralesgamuwa, is one of the most revered Buddhist temples in the Colombo area. Every day, devotees come to make offerings, light oil lamps and pray around its sacred Bo tree, and on full moon poya days the temple is especially busy.
The Bo tree is the heart of the temple. According to tradition, it is one of the thirty two saplings said to have grown from the Sri Maha Bodhi in Anuradhapura, the sacred tree brought to Sri Lanka in the 3rd century BC. There are signs that a temple stood here during the Kotte period, before it fell into decline, and the site was revived in the 19th century, when the Bo tree was rediscovered by a monk who, the story goes, followed the sound of drums through the forest.
Every year, usually in August or September, Bellanwila holds its Esala Perahera, a colourful procession of traditional dancers, drummers, flag bearers and elephants that has run since 1950. It has grown into a month long religious and cultural programme, ending with a water cutting ceremony, and it draws large crowds from across Colombo. Dates change each year, so check the programme before you go.
Dress modestly, in white if you can, with shoulders and knees covered, and remove your shoes and hat before entering. Close by, the Bellanwila Attidiya wetland is a good place for birdwatching, and Mount Lavinia Beach is a short drive away.
At a glance
- Entry fee: Free. Donations are welcome.
- Opening hours: Open daily, from early morning to evening
- Time needed: 45 minutes to 1 hour
- Best time: Early morning or evening, or August to September for the perahera
How to get there
In Bellanwila, near Boralesgamuwa, in Colombo's southern suburbs. Around 30 to 45 minutes from central Colombo by tuk tuk, depending on traffic.