Buddhist Art and Temple Experience
Buddhist iconography of Sri Lanka is rich with tales of the birth, life and death of Gautama Buddha. Illustrations of the ancient scriptures can be found as mural paintings and sculptures in temples and monastery caves. Also they can be seen during religious festivals in form of thoran, kolam and decorative lanterns. Enjoy a curated visit of a beautifully decorated temple for a personalized immersion into the island’s artistic traditions. Devotional art inspires a transformative journey into the hearts and minds of talented local experts. The artistic seeker experience is an opportunity to learn about local crafts and Buddhist rituals as local worshipers have practiced them for centuries.
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Buddhist Art and Temple Experience
What's included in Buddhist Art and Temple Experience
(Subject to Option Inclusions)Itinerary
Bellanwila Rajamaha Viharaya
Visit a beautifully picturesque Buddhist temple in the suburbs of Colombo. This important monastic complex has a long history dating back to the early Anuradhapura period. The legend has it that one of the eight saplings of Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi tree was planted at the heart of the temple grounds and has been worshipped by the local devotees for many centuries. The “lankathilaka” of this temple is built to the same architectural design as the Polonnaruwa image house. It is decorated with master artist paintings illustrating the episodes in Gautama Buddha’s life and path to Nirvana. You will be accompanied by an art scholar on a curated tour of these temple paintings and symbolic rituals as practiced in the Theravada tradition of Buddhism. You will learn the various iconography and religious symbols used in the Buddhist art tradition of Sri Lanka, from its ancient to its modern era. This activity is ideal for those seeking to gain a deeper understanding of cultural traditions as expressed through art and daily religious practices. It can be conducted for groups and individuals.
Inclusions
- Bottled water
- Offerings: flowers, oil lamps, incense
- Private transportation
- Temple donations
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- For temple visits please wear modest attire: tops covering shoulders, bottoms covering knees.
- White-color clothes are customary and are recommended for local temple visits, but not obligatory.
- Before entering the temple, shoes must be removed.
Meet
Pickup and Dropoff
You will make your own way to the meeting points
Meeting / End Points
- The Bellanwila temple is located in the southern suburb of Colombo. It can be easily reached via bus from Dehiwala junction. The starting point for this tour is at the car park across the Bellanwilla temple.
