Bellanwila Rajamaha Viharaya
Bellanwila Rajamaha Viharaya
4.5
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4.5
30 reviews
Excellent
17
Very good
9
Average
2
Poor
0
Terrible
2
Jaanya Gamage
16 contributions
Apr 2021
The Bellanwila temple is known for it's most sacred "Bellanwila Bo Tree" which is 2300 years old. The Bo tree is considered as one of the first Thirty two saplings (Young trees) which arose spontaneously from Jaya Sri Maha Bodiya- Anuradhapura on the 7th day of it's plantation ceremony. The King Dewanampiyathissa who has planted the "Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi" has invited prominent ruling heads from each respective area of the country and handed over these thirty two saplings to be planted in their ruling areas. Sri Maha Bodiya was planted in 288 BC which is 2300 years back. The thirty two saplings including "Bellanwila Bo Tree" are only seven days younger to Sri Maha Bodhiya. From these thirty two saplings only four to five Bo Trees Including "Bellanwila" are survived or recognizable today.
Written 31 May 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.
Michael Todd Davis
20 contributions
Jan 2020
This temple was spectacular. Because it was the first temple we saw in Sri Lanka, I thought they would all be similarly great. Not so. For reasons that are unclear, tourists do not seem interested in this temple. Big mistake! Much nicer than Gangaramaya, Kelaniya, Asokaramaya, etc. And much nicer than anything I saw in Kandy, Anuradhapura, etc. We saw lots of temples. This was the most beautiful.
Written 8 February 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.
Dr. Dharshana Weerakoon
Gampaha, Sri Lanka530 contributions
Jan 2016 • Family
In the temple-studded paradise island of Sri Lanka, Bellanwila Rajamaha Vihara occupies a special place. This temple is considered so sacred that there is a long cherished belief that a child who treads the ground under the shade of its scared Bodhi-tree will never fail in life.
Written 7 January 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.
Christina D
Los Angeles, CA2 contributions
Sept 2015 • Friends
This temple, like others in Sri Lanka, is beautiful. However the beauty fades once you see that it keeps an elephant in chains and shackles, who is screamed at and poked with a bull hook, by it's mahout or handler. This goes completely against the Buddhist teachings of compassion towards all living things. If you love animals, this is not the place to visit. You will leave the temple heartbroken and depressed.
Written 18 January 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.
Mukha Y
1 contribution
Dec 2019
This is one of the worst experiences. I was screaming for the to stop beating an Elephant and two men were just laughing. Do not go here, do not pay money because we are paying to continue the treatment of cruelty to Elephants. Its supposed to be a Buddhist temple? where elephants are sacred to Buddhists. I practice Buddhism and this has be traumatic to see.
Written 14 February 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.
Prasanna
Panadura, Sri Lanka3,580 contributions
Feb 2017 • Family
The bo tree is believed to be a sampling of the Sri Maha bodhi in Anuradhapua.
Folklore is that it has been planted here I 3rd century BC. After the Portuguese colonisation it has been abandoned and jungle woven around it. During 1850 a monk has revisited the place and started building a temple.
After passage of time the temple now is modern without any trace of its ancient heritage.
Image house is beautiful and worth looking at. Devalaya has been built symbolising infiltration of Hindunisum into Buddhism.
The temple conducts Esala ( August) perehara similar to Kandy perahera. Equally colourful but lesser scale.
There are two elephants in the temple . Yes in shackles, contrary to the preachings of Lord Buddha but it's a socioreligious custom deep rooted in Buddhist culture
Folklore is that it has been planted here I 3rd century BC. After the Portuguese colonisation it has been abandoned and jungle woven around it. During 1850 a monk has revisited the place and started building a temple.
After passage of time the temple now is modern without any trace of its ancient heritage.
Image house is beautiful and worth looking at. Devalaya has been built symbolising infiltration of Hindunisum into Buddhism.
The temple conducts Esala ( August) perehara similar to Kandy perahera. Equally colourful but lesser scale.
There are two elephants in the temple . Yes in shackles, contrary to the preachings of Lord Buddha but it's a socioreligious custom deep rooted in Buddhist culture
Written 7 March 2017
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.
Gawesh
Colombo, Sri Lanka14 contributions
Oct 2019
The beautiful temple resides bordering waters and so wonderful that you instantly draw your mind to a very authentic beautiful village temple but it is in a very busy town. That's wonderful ..........
Written 16 October 2019
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.
Athula F
1 contribution
Oct 2018 • Friends
I have visited this temple before three weeks. Honestly this is well blessing place for all. Early morning there was a nice see nary . Very calm and quiet place.
Written 25 October 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.
vchinthaka
Doha, Qatar207 contributions
Jul 2018 • Family
The temple is very popular for various religious events. also it has some old painting which peoples keep coming. we do visit very often here for various religious activities trough out the year. How ever last month was very popular for annual "PERAHARA" . i would say one thing. the car parking just opposite the temple is so huge. but the days that perahara take place, the temple has taken a decision to close the park for public and keep only for VIP's. i do understand VIP"s must have certain priorities. how ever keep the park close from 1000 am is not a wise idea, when the perahara starts after 2200hrs. where does public park their vehicles.
other than that, during perahara season most of the peoples who own lands at road front, are keeping chairs and pricing for seating. very bad. some one has to stop these marketing religion has to be retain safe.
other than that, during perahara season most of the peoples who own lands at road front, are keeping chairs and pricing for seating. very bad. some one has to stop these marketing religion has to be retain safe.
Written 17 August 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.
ProfCraigGardner
Sri Lanka13 contributions
Dec 2019
Beautiful grounds bordering a crocodile estuary and lake. The bo tree is said to be an original shoot from the Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi in Anuradhapura. The controversy is the treatment of the captive elephant on the grounds. Be aware that much of the ground is covered with coarse gravel which can be a bit rough on tender soles.
Written 26 January 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.
Hello,
is free to visit or do we have to pay for a ticket?
Thank you
Martin
Written 10 December 2023
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