Kande Viharaya Temple at Aluthgama (Sri Lanka)
Hi everyone =) I’m back to my blog after a long and well-earned rest ;)
I want to wish all of you a wonderful, prosperous and peaceful New Year 2013!!
This post is about the latest (itsy bitsy) outing the family went on last year. “Outings” are getting to be a rather “difficult” word in our home now, with our daughter’s birth… Anyway here goes…
Last 28th December 2012, my family went to the Kanda Viharaya (Temple Sri Lanka
A little bit of history –
The temple is so called because it is a temple or “Viharaya” situated on top of a hill or "Kanda" in Sinhala. It is also known as the "Aluthgama Kande Viharaya" or "Bentota Kande Viharaya" because of its close proximity to the towns of Aluthgama & Bentota.
There is also nine devalas including four “Maha Devala” within the temple premises, out of which the Vishnu and Paththini Devala are well – known among devotees. Women who are not blessed with children come to the Paththini Devala expecting their dreams to come true and many people come to the Vishnu Devala seeking relief for their problems. Farmers bring their first harvest to the temple and to be blessed by the gods.
Kande Viharaya does not hold any religious processions or “perahera”. The temple is open to devotees from 5 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Kande Viharaya belongs to the Theravada Nikaya and was founded by Venerable Karapagala Dewamitta Thero, back in 1734. Now, under the patronage of the Chief Incumbent the Ven. Batuwanhene Sri Buddharakkitha Thero, Kande Viharaya continues to be a vital link in the socio cultural & religious activities in the country.
In the premises you will find
- The tallest sitting Buddha statue that was constructed within the shortest time
- Nine devalas dedicated to Godd Vishnu, Kataragama, Saman, Paththini, Ishwara, Sooniyam, Gana, Kaali and Senasuru Deviyo
- The "Kshethrarama Pirivena" founded by the Ven. Hikkaduwe Sri Sumangala Thero in 1904 which acts as a vital centre in Buddhist education in the country.
- Sri Saranatissa Memorial Library
- Three-storeyed Bhikkhu hostel
- Two-storeyed resting place
- A spacious hall to prepare pooja
- Bodhighara with a golden fence around the Bo-tree
- Special frescos and paintings can be found in the underground hall under the sitting Buddha image, which have been done in memory of victims of the tsunami
How to get there
Coordinates: 6°26'57"N 80°0'0"E
Nearby cities: Kalutara, Panadura, Homagama
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Route
The easiest route now is by the Southern Expressway. With new found technology these days, all you have to do is type in the coordinates or location in your GPS and it’s really easy =)
You can read more details on the history of Kande Viharya at http://amazinglanka.com/heritage/kande_vihara/kande_vihara.php
And more beautiful images at http://srilankatravelnotes.com/KALUTHARA/KANDEVIHARAYA/KandeViharaya.html
Drop me a mail or comment if you need specific instructions =)
