Gangaramaya (Vihara) Buddhist Temple, Colombo
Gangaramaya (Vihara) Buddhist Temple
Gangaramaya (Vihara) Buddhist Temple
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The area
Best nearby
We rank these restaurants and attractions by balancing reviews from our members with how close they are to this location.
Restaurants
785 within 5 kms
FLOW
870
0.4 km££ - £££ • Sri Lankan • Vegetarian Friendly • Vegan Options
Chambers At Park Street Mews
119
0.2 km££ - £££ • Lebanese • Moroccan • Middle Eastern
Monsoon Colombo
249
0.2 km££ - £££ • Thai • Vietnamese • Malaysian
Café Français
315
0.2 km££££ • French • Cafe • International
rare at Residence
224
95 m££££ • International • European • Asian
Park Street Mews Restaurant
348
0.2 km££ - £££ • International • European • Vegetarian Friendly
Park Street Trattoria
215
0.2 km££ - £££ • Italian • Pizza • Mediterranean
Simply Strawberries by Jagro
79
0.4 km££ - £££ • Dessert • Cafe • Vegetarian Friendly
The Grind Coffeehouse
27
0.3 km£ • Cafe • Fusion • Healthy
Elevate By Jetwing
52
0.2 km££ - £££ • Chinese • Bar • International
Attractions
150 within 10 kms
Colombo City Centre
112
0.3 kmShopping Malls
Seema Malakaya Temple
419
0.4 kmReligious Sites
Cotton Collection
58
0.4 kmDepartment Stores
Beira Lake
202
0.4 kmBodies of Water
Wesak Celebrations
3
0.4 kmCultural Events
Viharamahadevi Park
707
0.7 kmParks
J.R.Jayewardene Centre
19
0.4 kmSpeciality Museums
Nawam Perahera
5
0.4 kmCultural Events
Temple of Sri Kailawasanathan Swami Devasthanam Kovil
346
1 kmPoints of Interest & Landmarks
Colombo National Museum
1,326
0.9 kmSpeciality Museums • History Museums
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Reviews may contain information about traveller safety at this business.
Popular mentions
4.0
3,095 reviews
Excellent
1,398
Very good
1,062
Average
438
Poor
101
Terrible
96
Kim W
Towson, MD34 contributions
Apr 2022 • Friends
Beautiful temple written history. Be mindful to bring a shawl to cover your shoulders and or legs. Rich in history and worth the stop.
Written 27 April 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Cenay Thomas
Liverpool, UK6 contributions
Apr 2022 • Couples
During our visit to the Buddhist temple we were lucky enough to witness a ceremony, and it was so enlightening to see and feel inner peace.
Written 10 April 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Chris U
8 contributions
Mar 2022
This temple was a little strange. It has some good statues, murals, a stupa and the usual things you find in a buddhist temple but it also had many rooms of dusty collectibles such as furniture and figurines. There was a full size stuffed Elephant too. If you had told me this was also a antique shop I would probably also believe it.
Go there in the early morning or late evening as there is little airflow in some of the rooms.
Go there in the early morning or late evening as there is little airflow in some of the rooms.
Written 30 March 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Sanjay B
New Delhi, India21 contributions
Oct 2021
The Buddha temple with lots of archaeological relics.
Appears to be an ancient hindu temple as many, well preserved, beautiful stone carved figures of many deities are still there in the temple compound.
The lake nearby is worth a visit.
Parking may be an issue. Very organised for leaving shoes etc outside the area.
Appears to be an ancient hindu temple as many, well preserved, beautiful stone carved figures of many deities are still there in the temple compound.
The lake nearby is worth a visit.
Parking may be an issue. Very organised for leaving shoes etc outside the area.
Written 29 March 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Susan C
Cardiff, UK34 contributions
Serious safety incident
Feb 2022 • Solo
Having been around Sri Lanka now I can see that this is a complete tourist trap & not worth it. When visiting the Hindu section a man, an employee I assume as he was painting the art on the walls, started to talk to me. He asked for a picture on account of me being so pale, as I had a mask on I did nt mind . He then proceeded to lean in towards me & grope my backside. This is terrible behaviour & an awful experience so any solo women please avoid.
Written 27 February 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Jepro
Vantaa, Finland178 contributions
Feb 2022
English below
Täällä voisi viettää päivän, nähtävää on paljon, tunnelma harras ja munkkien äänet rauhoittavat.
You could spend a day here, there is lot of to see, athmosphere is good and monks voices make it peaceful.
Täällä voisi viettää päivän, nähtävää on paljon, tunnelma harras ja munkkien äänet rauhoittavat.
You could spend a day here, there is lot of to see, athmosphere is good and monks voices make it peaceful.
Written 25 February 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Rabih Z
Rome, Italy181 contributions
Dec 2021 • Solo
The temple has lots of expensive offerings, to the extent they were expanding the temple when we reached. A good visit when in colombo
Written 25 December 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
libranof1987
India192 contributions
Nov 2021
This is a temple and museum: the temple has two parts, one that is within the complex and another that is on the lake.
There is an attached museum but all the artefacts are sort of in storage / waiting to be stacked/arranged. Everything is just lying around, barely any information either.
There is an attached museum but all the artefacts are sort of in storage / waiting to be stacked/arranged. Everything is just lying around, barely any information either.
Written 24 November 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Satya Bhatti
Manila, Philippines20 contributions
Dec 2020 • Solo
Bhuddam Saranam Gacchami..🙏.. Very pleasant bhuddist temple in Colombo.. Visited this temple in the transist time at Colombo Airport..
Written 27 August 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Shey
Washington DC, DC111 contributions
Jun 2020 • Couples
I have always been very interested in learning more about South Asian cultures and religions, so we visited multiple temples in Sri Lanka and India in one trip. But trust me, this temple was beyond beautiful. It’s a big temple with a lot of statues, and antique decorations. It took us about an hour to walk around and see everything.
Written 19 May 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Vinod S
1 contribution
Any entry ticket to gangaramaya temple?
Dipanjan Nag
Bengaluru, India35 contributions
Yes, there’s a ticket which you need to buy at the entrance of the temple.
cicciu
Mogliano Veneto, Italy135 contributions
Ciao, ci sono ancora gli elefanti??
Peritoborgo
Levanto, Italy581 contributions
Nel tempio non c'erano elefanti vivi.
r0ckstar1982
Kent, UK63 contributions
What can be done to free the elephant, Ganga, chained in the temple? It has no space to move, is fed poorly, is whipped, sleeps on her own waste, has no elephant company, was taken away from her mother when she was young and is spotted crying by tourists. Why do Buddhists preach refraining from harming living things, but the commit animal cruelty?
Pratap Venugopal Menon
Noida, India188 contributions
I did not see any live elephant in the temple
Chhavi G
3 contributions
How many hours should we plan for Gangaramaya Temple?
Ketan B
Aylesbury, UK326 contributions
It depends on how long you want to stay to be honest.
We done it in less than 45 mins as once you've been to the main prayer rooms the rest is like a museum. But if you were to look through all the items they have on display etc. Then it could take quite a bit longer.
Hope that helps.
Anuj H
Kolkata (Calcutta), India16 contributions
Please inform me as i will have limited time which places can i cover in this short period of time as i feel i will get to the city by 6:30 Pm only. Galle face beach is also close to Ramada temple is one in the top priority. Any other suggestions pls
I am also interested to go to casino in the evening any suggestions on casino which is good and safe and which offers free pick and drop and fooding
Roshan Ferdi
Colombo, Sri Lanka208 contributions
Hi, If you are staying at Ramada Colombo, Galle Face Beach is across the road from the hotel. so not a problem going there walking. from there you can hop into metre Taxi and go to Temple. From there can go to Bayllys Casion. It is a safe and reputed place. No experience to comment about the Free food and pick ups cos i have not been inside.
Anuj H
Kolkata (Calcutta), India16 contributions
Hi i am planning to travel to sri lanka on 22nd september i will be reaching hotel ramada colombo by 6 in the evening i am hope the temple will be open till 9 as suggested by u so that we can see the beautiful temple i also wanted to know the entrance fee and other places near the temple we can cover as we have early morning flight next day
Vivek V
Nizwa, Oman610 contributions
Hi Anuj,
As far as I know the temple is open till 10pm
The entrance is free of cost.
There is a lake also nearby
Could you let me know when your next day flight is ?
I would suggest you to visit the temple in the morning time rather than at night, should you have enough time to reach airport.
Anuj H
Kolkata (Calcutta), India16 contributions
Hi i am planning to travel to sri lanka on 22nd september i will be reaching hotel ramada colombo by 6 in the evening i am hope the temple will be open till 9 as suggested by u so that we can see the beautiful temple i also wanted to know the entrance fee and other places near the temple we can cover as we have early morning flight next day
Roshan Ferdi
Colombo, Sri Lanka208 contributions
Hi, The temple is located quite close to Ramada Hotel. should be able to get to the temple in 10 minutes. Make sure to use a meter taxi. should not cost more than $1/=. if you need any assistance in Colombo feel free to contact me.
purplemetta
Melbourne, Australia26 contributions
can i visit Kelaniya Raja Maha Vihara and gangaramaya in one day?
or do i have to book two different tours
Sumedh V
Lalitpur, India320 contributions
Yes sure
Stacey S
Atlanta, GA2 contributions
Does this template still have the elephant? Terrible to hear the terrible reviews about the poor elephant.
crhontrips
Mysuru (Mysore), India61 contributions
Sorry for the delayed reply..
No we did not see any elephant around..
Maybe it has been sent to the elephant camp..
Frequently Asked Questions about Gangaramaya (Vihara) Buddhist Temple
- We recommend booking Gangaramaya (Vihara) Buddhist Temple tours ahead of time to secure your spot. If you book with Tripadvisor, you can cancel up to 24 hours before your tour starts for a full refund. See all 213 Gangaramaya (Vihara) Buddhist Temple tours on Tripadvisor
- Hotels near Gangaramaya (Vihara) Buddhist Temple:
- (0.09 km) Residence By Uga Escapes
- (0.37 km) Hilton Colombo Residences
- (0.39 km) Mövenpick Hotel Colombo
- (0.23 km) Onthree20 Plus. 2 Room ( 3 Beds) Apartment
- (0.31 km) Unique Towers Luxury Boutique Suites
- Restaurants near Gangaramaya (Vihara) Buddhist Temple:
- (0.17 km) Chambers At Park Street Mews
- (0.09 km) rare at Residence
- (0.17 km) Café Français
- (0.18 km) Monsoon Colombo
- (0.17 km) Park Street Mews Restaurant