Gangaramaya Temple
Gangaramaya Temple is one of the most important temples in Colombo, Sri Lanka, a treasure-house of Buddha statues, gifts and curiosities gathered from across Asia around a working monastery. being a mix of modern architecture and cultural essence.
Gangaramaya located on the Beira Lake, it was completed in the late 19th century. Wandering through it feels less like visiting a shrine and more like exploring an eccentric collector's attic that happens to be sacred.
The temple sits beside Beira Lake in the middle of the city, and it manages the beautiful Seema Malaka, the Pavilioned meditation temple floating on the water a short walk away, so the two are usually seen together. Monks still live and study here, so amid the museum-like clutter there is genuine daily life, chanting, offerings and the smell of incense, and it is worth slowing down to take that in rather than just ticking off the objects.
It is easy to reach in central Colombo and busy for much of the day, though it rarely feels overwhelming. As at any temple you cover your shoulders and knees and leave your shoes at the door, and there is a small entrance fee. Give it about an hour, more if the museum rooms draw you in, and time a visit for February if you can, when the temple's Navam Perahera fills the surrounding streets with elephants, dancers and drummers.
At a glance
- Entry fee: LKR 500 for foreign visitors
- Opening hours: 6:00am to 10:00pm
- Time needed: 45 minutes to 1 hour
- Best time: Daytime, or the Navam Perahera in February
Getting there
Beside Beira Lake in central Colombo, near Slave Island.
Before you go
- Cover your shoulders and knees and leave your shoes at the entrance. It is a working temple, not just a museum.
- Do not miss the museum rooms packed with donated treasures, and the floating Seema Malaka pavilions on the lake, which the temple also runs.
- There is a small entrance fee for foreign visitors, so bring a little cash.
- If your dates allow, come around the Navam Perahera in February for one of Colombo's great processions.
Frequently asked questions
- What is Gangaramaya Temple?
- One of Colombo's most important and eclectic Buddhist temples. As well as the shrine and a working monastery, it holds a remarkable jumble of donated treasures, from Buddha statues to vintage cars, gathered over more than a hundred years.
- How much does it cost?
- Foreign visitors pay around LKR 500. Cover your shoulders and knees and leave your shoes at the door.
- How long do you need?
- About an hour to see the temple and its collection, plus a few minutes for the Seema Malaka pavilions on the lake nearby, which are part of the same complex.
- What else is near it?
- The Seema Malaka on Beira Lake sits a short walk away, and the temple works well alongside a wider wander around central Colombo.