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taboo5 | profile | all galleries >> Sri Lanka >> Gangaramaya (Vihara) Buddhist Temple in Columbo, Sri Lanka (12/2010) tree view | thumbnails | slideshow

Gangaramaya (Vihara) Buddhist Temple in Columbo, Sri Lanka (12/2010)

The Gangaramaya (Vihara) Buddhist Temple is the preeminent Buddhist temple in Colombo, Sri Lanka. It includes several impressive buildings and is located near the placid waters of Beira Lake. It is situated on a plot that was originally a small hermitage built on marshy land. Don Bastian (de Silva Jayasuriya Goonewardane, Mudaliyar), a famous 19th century shipping merchant, bought the beautiful piece of land belonging to three Moors, and filled in the marsh and prepared the land at great expense. The land bordered on two sides by the Moragoda Ela and the Pettigala Ela. It was used to build the temple, which was subsequently named the Padawthota Gangaramaya Vihara. Today, Gangaramaya serves not only as a place of Buddhist worship, it is also a center of learning.
Gangaramaya (Vihara) Buddhist Temple cover page.
Gangaramaya (Vihara) Buddhist Temple cover page.		 Map of Sri Lanka with the star indicating Columbo.
Map of Sri Lanka with the star indicating Columbo.		 View of the Sri Lankan National Museum, which is one of two museums in Colombo and is the largest museum in Sri Lanka.
View of the Sri Lankan National Museum, which is one of two museums in Colombo and is the largest museum in Sri Lanka.		 Night view of the Colombo Town Hall, which is the headquarters of the Colombo Municipal Council and the office of the Mayor.
Night view of the Colombo Town Hall, which is the headquarters of the Colombo Municipal Council and the office of the Mayor.
An imposing statue outside of the Gangaramaya (Vihara) Buddhist Temple.
An imposing statue outside of the Gangaramaya (Vihara) Buddhist Temple.		 This stone dog statue was also outside.
This stone dog statue was also outside.		 One of many gorgeous Buddha statues inside of the temple.
One of many gorgeous Buddha statues inside of the temple.		 These two have a shiny finish.
These two have a shiny finish.
Exquisite Buddhist representations in a corner near the ceiling.
Exquisite Buddhist representations in a corner near the ceiling.		 Paintings depicting the life of Buddha in the Gangaramaya Temple.
Paintings depicting the life of Buddha in the Gangaramaya Temple.		 An impressive ceiling medallion overhead.
An impressive ceiling medallion overhead.		 A strikingly beautiful Buddha statue.
A strikingly beautiful Buddha statue.
Stupas in Sri Lanka are shaped like bells such as this beautiful Cetiya Stupa in the Gangaramaya (Vihara) Buddhist Temple.
Stupas in Sri Lanka are shaped like bells such as this beautiful Cetiya Stupa in the Gangaramaya (Vihara) Buddhist Temple.		 There was an evening service going on.
There was an evening service going on.		 Worshippers were listening to Buddhist chanting.
Worshippers were listening to Buddhist chanting.		 Rows of many Buddha statues, which were a sight to behold.
Rows of many Buddha statues, which were a sight to behold.
Another view of the Buddhas.
Another view of the Buddhas.		 An exquisite golden peacock statue.
An exquisite golden peacock statue.		 An erie-looking wooden carving with (what looks like) the man's ribs showing.
An erie-looking wooden carving with (what looks like) the man's ribs showing.		 Close-up of the carving.
Close-up of the carving.
Statue of what appears to be an ancient warrior.
Statue of what appears to be an ancient warrior.		 An elephant statue with flowered leis around its neck.
An elephant statue with flowered leis around its neck.		 A close-up of the beautiful Cetiya Stupa of the Gangaramaya (Vihara) Buddhist Temple.
A close-up of the beautiful Cetiya Stupa of the Gangaramaya (Vihara) Buddhist Temple.

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