[2025 Colombo Attraction] Travel Guide for Gangaramaya Temple (Updated Mar)

Colombo hits you with its energy the moment you step out. The streets are alive—horns blaring, tuk-tuks weaving through gaps that don’t exist, and street vendors calling out in rapid Sinhala and Tamil. It’s chaos, but the kind that makes you feel part of something bigger. The Jami Ul-Alfar Mosque, better known as the Red Mosque, rises like something out of a dream. Its candy-striped walls and intricate domes stand out against the tangle of streets, drawing in curious passersby. Locals nod as you pause to take it in, some stopping to chat, others just offering a quick smile before disappearing into the crowd. Down the road, shopfronts spill onto the sidewalks—piles of ripe mangoes, stacks of colorful textiles, the sizzle of street food on open grills. A vendor hands over a freshly cut pineapple, dusted with chili and salt, grinning as he watches your reaction to the fiery kick. Everyone’s in motion, yet somehow, there’s time for conversation. Tuk-tuk drivers lean against their rides, sharing jokes, old men sit on stools outside tiny shops, watching the world go by, and strangers strike up casual chats like they’ve known you forever. It’s noisy. It’s messy. It’s full of life. And somehow, in the middle of it all, Colombo just makes you feel at home.

Gangaramaya Temple (Sinhala: ශ්රී ගංගාරාම මහාවිහාරය śrī gangārāma mahāvihāraya, Tamil: ஸ்ரீ கங்காராம மகாவிகாரம் Srī Gaṅgārāma Makāvikāram) is one of the most important temples in Colombo, Sri Lanka, being a mix of modern architecture and cultural essence. Located on the Beira Lake, it was completed in the late 19th century.

Gangaramaya Temple is one of the most important religious and historical building in Colombo. The location is quite convenient as it is in the hearth of the city's down town. The recommended sightseeing time is between one to two hours. The temple is really well preserved and is a pleasure to see in person. Women must be dressed appropriately with no revealing clothes and shoulder should be covered. One advantage is that this place closest very late. It is open to the public from 6:00 am until 10:00 PM. #createwithtrip #colombo #srilanka #gangaramayatemple

#celebrateit The most famous of Colombo, where there are many Buddhist temples, is the Gangarama Temple, which was built in the late 19th century. As a unique temple that sets it apart from ordinary Sri Lankan temples, it is crowded with many tourists and local worshippers every day. There are many large Buddha statues and sculptures lined up inside, but various Buddha statues not only from Sri Lanka but also from all over the world are dedicated, so it may be interesting to look around while thinking about the characteristics of each. In addition, even though it is a temple, classic cars, antiques, and jewellery are also on display, which is enough to see.

Gangaramaya Temple This is one of the most important temples in Colombo, combining modern architecture and cultural essence, and incorporating Sri Lankan, Thai, Indian, Chinese, and British architectural styles. It is located on the banks of Beira Lake and was completed in the late 19th century. Its main features are the Vihara (temple), Cetiya (stupa), Bodhi tree, Seema Malaka (monk assembly hall), and relic room. In addition, there is a museum, library, residential hall, education hall, and relief hall. It is clear that the main building imitates the pagoda style of Bodh Gaya in India, and the rows of Buddha statues in front of the pagoda are very striking and spectacular. The Buddhist Museum has a collection of items from various countries and regions, and it is difficult to distinguish between real and fake. It is quite large inside, and you can spend more than half an hour slowly browsing. The temple is beautiful and has a collection of antiques from old watches to pottery, gems, Rolls-Royce cars, statues, ivory products, and more. Overall, it feels more like a cultural center or attraction, suitable for those who are not familiar with Buddhist culture. Practical Information 📍Address: 61 Sri Jinarathana Rd, Colombo 00200, Sri Lanka 🎫Tickets: 400 rupees, shoes need to be placed in the box at the entrance, no extra charge. 🪭Nearby attractions: You can visit the Water Temple, so remember to keep your ticket. There is a large modern shopping mall opposite the temple, which is convenient for dining and shopping, and you can also go inside to enjoy the air conditioning and take a break.

This temple is located near Beira Lake, where Gangaramaya Park is located. Take off your shoes and pay the 400 rupee entrance fee to enter. There are exhibitions inside, but the atmosphere is chaotic, with various items on display with no clear theme. It also has a bit of a junk market feel to it. Recommended for those who like the chaos of Asian temples. Of course, there are temple-like attractions, such as an area lined with Buddha statues and a golden tower. #0yentravel #Colombo #SriLanka

Water temple, Colombo. Sat in the Buddha hall for half an hour, the cool breeze was comfortable and quiet. Two snakes protect the big footprints. The Guanyin statue shows the flexibility of Theravada Buddhism. The offerings even come with a set of Western tableware, which is quite interesting. The water temple is actually part of the Gangaramaya Monastery and Museum, the main temple is located at another nearby location, you can go together, I went a few nights ago. Note: If you join a group, these two places are not on the itinerary, you have to find time to go. The temples in Colombo are open at night, but not too late, eight or nine o'clock at night, definitely open.

Wat Kongkaram is a very important Thai temple in Sri Lanka. It is a Siam Wong Thai temple and the location of the first Sunday Buddhist school in Sri Lanka. Inside the temple, there is peace and quiet and is filled with many valuable Buddhist arts, such as the yellow Buddha statue in the Mara-Vijaya posture enshrined inside the chapel, along with beautiful and magnificent murals. There is also a Bodhi tree that has a shoot from the Bodhi tree in Bodh Gaya, India, and a museum collecting antiques, both sacred objects and utensils, which the temple has collected for us to walk and study the history in an interesting way. #Waiting for the day to travel