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

The temple grounds exude a sense of peace with ancient trees, beautifully maintained gardens, and traditional architecture. The main shrine features intricate murals and Buddha statues that reflect the artistic... Read More and religious heritage of Sri Lanka. The presence of a sacred Bo Tree adds to the spiritual ambiance, drawing devotees and visitors alike for meditation and prayer.

The template has a separate worshiping area and an area for the monks to reside. The secret BO tree is in a separate location to the main template but with... Read More in walking distance. The main attraction is the centuries old Na tree and the Dadimunda Devalaya situated under the same. The place is well maintained. The template owns an elephant who is also kept in the back yard.

The history of Kotte Raja Maha Vihara dates back to the Kingdom of Kotte. During the reign of King Parakumbha VI (1415-1467) the construction of the temple was begun and... Read More completed in all aspects with the royal patronage. King built the temple closer to his royal palace, to doing the necessary duties to the Sangha community. During the Dutch presence in the country Kotte temple was completely destroyed by them. The temple was re-established in 1818 after the destroyed temple was found out by Ven. Pilane Buddha Rakkitha thero. However most of the constructions and artifacts of the original temple had been destroyed and taken away by the foreigners leaving only a few ruins at the place. It is said that only some ruins of the present Stupa, parts of Katharagama Devalaya, and some stone pillars were remained in the Vihara premises.

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 located before the kingdom of Kandy. The prince Sapumal visited this temple before conquering of Yapapatuna (Jaffna ).

Visited this Buddhist temple and wished I had come here sooner in life. Entering this serene place felt like years of stress simply melted away. #BuddhistTemple #SereneEscape #StressRelief #InnerPeace

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

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 is significant for its architectural beauty and its historical importance. It has served as a major religious and cultural center over the centuries and continues to be a place of worship and pilgrimage for Buddhists.

An ancient temple in kotte

Peaceful temple even though we went on a crowded vesak day. Praying areas were smaller but had large grounds where people could roam and sit. They were clean and well... Read More maintained. Also liked that there were praying areas for some other faiths as well. Parking was the only issue.

Nice place. The big monk is sincere and friendly. We went to take photos with the Kotte Raja elephant.

One of the Oldest temple in Sri Lanka..

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 such a busy area. It’s calm, peaceful, and has this really charming atmosphere that’s perfect for meditation or just a quiet moment to yourself. One of my favorite spots is under the Na Bodhi tree there's something truly serene about it. Even though the city buzzes around it, the temple grounds feel like a whole different world. I highly recommend visiting early in the morning. The vibe is extra peaceful then, and it’s a great way to start your day with some stillness and clarity. Definitely worth a stop if you're in or around Kotte.

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 of the island nation. The kingdom's rise began in the late 14th century when Minister Alakesvara established Kotte as a fortress to counter potential invasions from South India. However, it was under the reign of Parakramabahu VI (1412-1467) that Kotte truly blossomed. He moved the capital from Gampola to Kotte in 1415, recognizing its strategic location and natural defenses. Parakramabahu VI's reign was a golden era for Kotte. He successfully unified the island, conquering the Jaffna Kingdom in the north, bringing Sri Lanka under a single rule for the first time in over a century. This period witnessed significant cultural and artistic advancements, with Kotte becoming a center of learning and religious activity. The construction of the Kotte Dalada Maligawa, a temple housing the sacred tooth relic of the Buddha, further solidified the kingdom's religious importance. However, the Kotte Kingdom's prosperity was short-lived. Internal strife and external pressures began to erode its power. In 1521, a tragic event known as the "Wijayaba Kollaya" led to the division of the kingdom among the sons of King Vijayabahu VII. This weakened the kingdom and paved the way for further decline. The arrival of the Portuguese in 1505 marked a turning point. Seeking to exploit the region's resources and strategic location, the Portuguese established a foothold in Sri Lanka. They formed alliances with certain Kotte rulers, further destabilizing the kingdom. In 1597, with the death of King Don Juan Dharmapala, the Kotte Kingdom officially ended. The Portuguese, who had been steadily increasing their influence, took control of the kingdom, marking the beginning of a new era in Sri Lankan history. The legacy of the Kotte Kingdom, however, endures. Its capital city, now a suburb of Colombo, still bears witness to its glorious past. The ruins of the ancient city, including the Kotte Dalada Maligawa and the royal palace, offer a glimpse into the grandeur of this bygone era. The Kotte Kingdom's story serves as a reminder of Sri Lanka's rich history and the complex interplay of power, culture, and external influences that shaped its destiny.

Wonderful Temple with king generous knowledgeable Monks. plenty of parking. There's a lot of animals roaming free around the grounds. Peceful. 1000's of parrots come to rest in the evening.

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 of this temple. There are so many flower shops in front of the temple. Usually get crowded on poya days. If you travel by your own vehicle, parking facility is there inside and outside the temple.

One of the most historical temples in Sri lanka. Wonderfull place. You should be there in the evening, before sunset. millions of parrots visit there. amazing thing to see

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 also exists in history as a place where Dalada was taken care.I recommend to visit this temple it will give pleasure to your mind.