Kotte Rajamaha Vihara

Buddhist temple

Eco Friendly Environment

Secure Parking

Watching Time : 2 or 3 Hours

Amazing Experience

The history of Kotte Raja Maha Vihara dates back to the Kingdom of Kotte as described by the poetic literature (Sandesha Kavya) during the golden era of literature in the 15th Century. During the reign of King Parakramabahu VI (1415–1467), the construction of the temple was begun and completed in all aspects with the royal patronage. There was a monastery at this location during the Kotte Period, but only a few stone pillars remain today. The temple features paintings from the early British
period, including one of Queen Victoria, along with other British influences. In 1887, the temple received a donation from the British  Government to commemorate Queen Victoria's Diamond Jubilee, and the modernizing of the paintings leading to the image house with a statue of the reclining Buddha were commissioned that same year. The temple has also been described in the poetic literature (Sandesha Kavya) of the era.

A squatting pan from the Kotte Period lies in the garden, and an old door frame with Dutch architectural features is fixed to an older building. Behind the temple, there is a laterite boulder adorned with the Makara Thorana (Dragon Gate). This site is the highest point in the area, which is why Sītāvaka Rājasiṁha camped here during his attack on the Kotte Fortress. Round stones, believed to have been used as cannonballs by the Portuguese to attack Rājasiṁha’s army, were found here.

During the Sinhala Kingdom, the Sacred Tooth Relic of the Buddha was traditionally kept near the king's palace for protection. However, it was moved annually to a temple for public worship for three months. Kotte Rajamaha Vihara was where the Tooth Relic was kept during the Kotte Period. The stone pillars at the Vihara premises, as well as many artefacts in and the surrounding area going back to the 15th century, confirm the historical significance of the Kotte Rajamaha Vihara. Much before the Kandyan Sri Dalada Perahara, the historic parade of the Kotte Raja Maha Vihara has continued as an annual event from the 15th Century to honor the Sacred Tooth Relic of the Buddha.

Opening Hours

Sunday : 8.30 AM – 9.00 PM
Monday : 8.30 AM – 9.00 PM
Tuesday : 8.30 AM – 9.00 PM
Wednesday : 8.30 AM – 9.00 PM
Thursday : 8.30 AM – 9.00 PM
Friday : 8.30 AM – 9.00 PM
Saturday : 8.30 AM – 9.00 PM

Sri Jayawardenepura Kotte, LK
33°
Partly Cloudy
06:0418:19 +0530
Feels like: 41°C
Wind: 10km/h WSW
Humidity: 64%
Pressure: 1013.21mbar
UV index: 11

Tour Map

Gallery

  • Kotte raja maha viharaya is the most famous temple in the 7th ancient kingdom of Sri Lanka. It s the last place of worship where the tooth relic of Lord Buddha... Read More

    Gayan Yasanuwan Avatar Gayan Yasanuwan
    April 25, 2021

    An ancient temple set in a vast area. Calm peaceful and holy place. People can perform their religious activities at leisure. If you are lucky you can see the Kotte... Read More

    Nilumi Perera Avatar Nilumi Perera
    April 25, 2021
  • The Kotte Kingdom, a significant chapter in Sri Lanka's history, flourished during the 15th century. It was a period marked by both cultural brilliance and political intrigue, shaping the course... Read More

    Oshada Gunasekara Avatar Oshada Gunasekara
    December 25, 2024

    If you are interested in the history and fully fledged culture of Sri Lanka, you might want to visit the Kotte Rajamaha Vihara, a historic Buddhist temple situated in Sri... Read More

    Leon Mudalige Avatar Leon Mudalige
    April 25, 2024
  • A historic Buddhist temple situated in Sri Jayawardenepura Kotte, Western province, Sri Lanka. It is located near to the historic building Pita Kotte Gal Ambalama at the Pita Kotte junction on Kotte road. The temple has been... Read More

    M¡hiN_M¡ndula Avatar M¡hiN_M¡ndula
    April 25, 2022

    I also performed sri dalada perahera kotte . Its very interesting .

    Shamila & Saranga Avatar Shamila & Saranga
    October 25, 2024
  • Kotte temple can be called as a good religious place that is worth visiting.This temple holds a big procession every year with tuskers and elephants.Traditional And Historical Place.The Kotte temple... Read More

    Gihan Sandeep Avatar Gihan Sandeep
    April 25, 2023

    Kotte Rajamaha Viharaya, also known as Sri Jayawardenepura Kotte Rajamaha Viharaya, is an ancient Buddhist temple located in Sri Jayawardenepura Kotte, the capital city of Sri Lanka. This historic temple... Read More

    Mayuri Karunarathna Avatar Mayuri Karunarathna
    August 25, 2024
  • A Historical Buddhist temple in Colombo suburbs.

    Gayan Anuradha Avatar Gayan Anuradha
    April 25, 2023

    A famous historical temple in Pitakotte. Historical "Na Bodhiya" A lot of Buddhists are going to worship this place.

    Sanath Keerthisinghe Avatar Sanath Keerthisinghe
    April 25, 2024
  • There are few PET plastic collection bins. Devotees should practice to drop their PET waste into the correct bins. That will great help to the environment.

    Asitha Dharshana Avatar Asitha Dharshana
    April 25, 2021

    The former Capital city of srilanka . Ancient and famous Bubbies temple . Kotte rajamaha viharaya..

    Ruwan Peiris Avatar Ruwan Peiris
    April 25, 2020
  • Ancient Buddhist temple made in Kotte era. Many Buddhists visit this temple which has a Nà bodhi which is believed to be the type of bodhi which would be used... Read More

    Anoj Thabrew Avatar Anoj Thabrew
    April 25, 2023

    One of the historic buddhist temple located in the capital of Sri Lanka, built during the ancient Kotte kingdom. Calm and quite place. Annual perahera is one of key attraction... Read More

    Prasanna Dahanayaka Avatar Prasanna Dahanayaka
    April 25, 2018
  • This is another ancient temple built by King Parakramabahu, the 6th of the Kotte kingdom. The original structures were completely destroyed by the Dutch, and the temple was rebuilt in... Read More

    Thushini Goonewardene Avatar Thushini Goonewardene
    September 25, 2024

    The Kotte Sri Rajamaha Viharaya, located in Sri Jayawardenepura Kotte, is a historic Buddhist temple with profound cultural and religious significance. Established during the reign of King Parakramabahu VI (1412–1467)... Read More

    Movindu Shenai Avatar Movindu Shenai
    December 25, 2024
  • Lovely yearly pageant. This is over 100 year s old

    Inuka Abayaratna Avatar Inuka Abayaratna
    April 25, 2020

    Kotte Rajamaha Vihara is a beautiful ancient Buddhist temple and archaeological site right in the heart of Sri Lanka's capital but once you step inside, you’d never guess you're in... Read More

    Chanuka Nadun Avatar Chanuka Nadun
    April 21, 2025
  • This is one of the great place which shows the religious similarity. Because in ancient Kingdom of Kotte, both temple and church was there in same place. Buddhist monks allowed... Read More

    Roshan Priyashantha Avatar Roshan Priyashantha
    April 25, 2020

    Temple has been built during the kotte period with the royal patronage and venerated by the royal court. The temple completed in all aspects described in details in the poetic... Read More

    Shehan Ransara Avatar Shehan Ransara
    April 25, 2019
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