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The kalutara bodiya is one of the religious place which is venerated by all buddhist in sri lanka. anybody who comes from colombo or galle stop over at the sacred shrine to pay their respects by way of worshipping and offerings. here is a hollow dagoba with interesting paintings.

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See what travellers are saying

Russicum
Moscow, Russia2,320 contributions
Place of calm
Well the temple I saw many times when went tuk-tuk. Near temple is located flower market. By the way opposite bus station was my favorite tea shop. They have different high quality tea: black tea, orange pekoe, green tea, fruit tea, herbal
Visited December 2023
Travelled with family
Written 13 December 2023
romanshorner
Munich, Germany1,220 contributions
Interesting Insight into Buddhist Culture
The temple is an interesting building of Buddhist culture. You can get a little interesting insight into this culture. The entrance is for free, donations are welcome. Of course you should be respectful to Buddhist Religion and behave like it is suitable for a religious monument. Then you get a little feeling of the spirit of this place.
Visited March 2023
Travelled as a couple
Written 28 February 2024
DilrukshiH
Colombo, Sri Lanka2,679 contributions
A Famous Temple
A world famous Buddhist temple in Kalutara. This temple is situated on the Galle road, therefore its a very busy & crowded place. Be cautious when crossing the road as its by the side of a very busy road. Much revered place by Buddhists, but it will be an interesting place for others too. Parking of vehicles will be a little away from the temple.
Visited April 2024
Travelled with family
Written 30 April 2024

These reviews are the subjective opinion of Tripadvisor members and not of TripAdvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.

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4.5

379 reviews

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Terrible

4

Chanaka W

Kalutara, Sri Lanka15 contributions

Scared place for buddhist and must visit in Kalutara

Nov 2019

Kalutara Bodhiya is a sacred temple for Buddhist and you can find many devotees every day. It is located just beside the Kalu Ganga (river). Walk on the bridge and get into the Temple. Temple has two sections either sides of the road and connected by a short underground tunnel. Make sure to visit both sides. ENTRANCE FREE

Written 2 May 2020

This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

DilrukshiH

Colombo, Sri Lanka2,679 contributions

A Famous Temple

Apr 2024 • Family

A world famous Buddhist temple in Kalutara.
This temple is situated on the Galle road, therefore its a very busy & crowded place.
Be cautious when crossing the road as its by the side of a very busy road.
Much revered place by Buddhists, but it will be an interesting place for others too.
Parking of vehicles will be a little away from the temple.

Written 30 April 2024

This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

LakeSide Cabana T

11 contributions

You Must Visit This place

Apr 2021

When you travel srilanka you must visit this temple at kalutara. this is a different kind of sthupa. you can go inside of the sthupa and sea arround the island. you can sea the beautiful kalutara beach from there.

Written 24 April 2021

This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

romanshorner

Munich, Germany1,220 contributions

Interesting Insight into Buddhist Culture

Mar 2023 • Couples

The temple is an interesting building of Buddhist culture. You can get a little interesting insight into this culture. The entrance is for free, donations are welcome. Of course you should be respectful to Buddhist Religion and behave like it is suitable for a religious monument. Then you get a little feeling of the spirit of this place.

Written 28 February 2024

This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Russicum

Moscow, Russia2,320 contributions

Place of calm

Dec 2023 • Family

Well the temple I saw many times when went tuk-tuk. Near temple is located flower market.
By the way opposite bus station was my favorite tea shop. They have different high quality tea: black tea, orange pekoe, green tea, fruit tea, herbal

Written 13 December 2023

This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Hemamali S

UK13 contributions

SERENITY WITHIN SERINDIPITY

Feb 2016

Kalutara is the place where I was born. So much has changed since - from the increased traffic to the noise and the pollution - turning the small, peaceful town of Kalutara once was, where I grew up, into a chaotic, restless place. There is a highway runs across the town, making it easier for the drivers to get from place to place , quicker than it used to be. Amid the hustle and the bustle, Buddhists never failed to stop by the Kalutara Bodhi. The old temple I love to this day. This is the only place I miss since I moved out of Kalutara and I never fail to visit the temple since. They have made a few changes, yet, the old Bo tree, (a sacred tree) and the old shrine room where there is a very old statue of Buddha, remained just as beautiful as they were many moons ago. This is due to the constant care given by the Buddhist society, in Kalutara. You feel the power of the Blessings as soon as you step into the temple. There is also another very big statue of Buddha on the other end of the temple. Unlike those days, you do not have to risk your life trying to cross the main road to get to the other side of the road, where there is a branch of this ancient temple, that is built on a hire hill. There is a subway to cross the main street. These temples are situated by the famous Kalu river (meaning -black river in Sinhalese), where I used to bath with my Papa, when I was a little girl. I absolutely adore this place. I would also like to add, if you are lucky, you might see elephants on the roads, with their carers of course. Hearing the recent news of a man being attacked by an elephant in another country, this is something I always say to people who visit Sri Lanka. Wherever you go, if you see an elephant, do not run up to it and start taking photographs, flashing the camera light in his eyes. This disturbs the elephant. Many years ago, someone dropped a cigarette end in front of the path of the elephants during the main procession in Kandy. When the elephant stepped on it, he got disturbed. That day, the elephants ran a riot and killed many people. Elephants are adorable to look at, they are very important part in our lives, but when you visit these places, respect these animals and the religious places you visit. You have to remove your shoes and dress appropriately. Well, I hope many people would visit Kalutara and enjoy the sheer beauty of the nature. Calico is another place to visit in Kalutara. Be very careful when you visit this places. If you go to the near by hotel for a cup of tea, you could see the Kalutara Bodhi from the distance and also, you can stand on the rocks, by the Calico. I stress, be very careful, because water crazily swirls
round the rocks. The photo of the Bodhiya is the temple on the hill, on the other side of the road. Inside is hollow and massive. It is decorated with stories of Buddha's life. There are also statues of Buddha inside. Takes about half an hour, if you care to read all the information and look at the beautiful paintings on the walls. I have been there many times in my life time and I will be going again in February 2016. This is why I selected this date from the drop down list.

Written 2 February 2016

This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Aadhes

Colombo, Sri Lanka2,432 contributions

Buddhist Temple

Dec 2014 • Family

This is situated at the entrance of the city of Kalutara which is about 35 KM from Colombo there are ample public transport from Colombo Bus will more easier it will not cost even $ .50 cents. This teple is standing just by the side of the Colombo Galle road.
This place is worshiped by all Buddhist people. All are permitted to can go in to the temple. On one side you have the Bo tree and the temple other side the temple and the Tagoba (The big white dome), a specialty here is that you can go into the Tagoba.
Please note there is no entry fees or donations to any one if you want you can put it into the box or the temple office(don't give to any individual) . There is a place for you to leave your foot wear so don't go to shops and kiosk and be cheated. In my view you don't need a tour guide to this site you can manage by your self there is a beautiful river by the side of the temple and a beach close by. There is a tunnel crossing you can use to cross the busy road.
Please be decently dressed no shorts and mini skirts are allowed.

Written 18 December 2014

This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

shelley j

Shrewsbury, UK30 contributions

Its interesting but no shoes are aloud .

Oct 2018 • Family

The minute you arrive some local will approach you . Pretending to be a guide. When you give the lady your shoes keep the tag ,otherwise he will try and charge you at the end . But it’s all free!! Let him take you around he will explain it and show you where to go . But do not give him the donation at the end ,put it in the box yourself when collecting your shoes . We just gave him a very small token of £1 . You should have your arms and legs covered . But it was interesting.

Written 10 November 2018

This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Dave M

Sheffield, UK181 contributions

Amazing structure

Oct 2018 • Couples

Was taken around by our tuk tuk driver tree full of fruit bats and Buddha life story in picture around inside of dome.
Well worth a visit if in the area

Written 6 November 2018

This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Beyoncé Giselle

Melbourne, Australia37 contributions

Tranquil and treasure trove to Sri Lanka

Mar 2017 • Couples

Who ever goes to this place despite of religion will fall in love as it's absolutely a best location. The Kalu river and the beach lagoon and the railway and mail road from all this place get the amazing view that you can get pleasurable scenery.

Written 3 February 2018

This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

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