A sacred site that offers cultural insights into Sri Lanka’s rich Buddhist heritage, the Kalutara Temple is well worth a visit on your adventures to the island’s south coast.
Planning Your Visit
The temple is easy to find and stands near the entrance to Kalutara, a popular coastal city that’s around 40 km from the commercial capital, Colombo. Located within a 15 minute drive from Avani Kalutara Resort, the temple is open to the public, though remember to dress conservatively when visiting it.
A Bit of History
Before making a visit here from your Kalutara hotel or resort, do look to find out more on this attraction. In brief, the current temple was built on the site of another temple that was destroyed by the Portuguese in the 16th century. The area was turned into a fort and was subsequently taken over by the Dutch and the British. The temple you see today was in fact, completed in 1974.
Main Highlights
One of the main features of the temple is the fact that its stupa is hollow; those venturing inside will find statues of Lord Buddha along with over 70 murals depicting scenes from his life. Due to its location by the Kalu River, you can also enjoy panoramic views of the surrounding area.
A Sacred Tree
Just next to the temple is the Kalutara Bodhiya, a sacred Bodhi tree which originated from one of the saplings of the Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi; this tree in Anuradhapura is of great significance since its origins are from the Bodhi tree in India where Lord Buddha attained enlightenment.
