Gangaramaya Temple
A working Buddhist temple in central Colombo that is also a crowded museum of devotees' gifts, with a Geoffrey Bawa meditation hall on Beira Lake.
What Gangaramaya actually is
Gangaramaya is a Buddhist temple in central Colombo, founded in the late 19th century by the scholar-monk Hikkaduwe Sri Sumangala, and linked with the Buddhist revival of that era. It is still a working temple with an active monastic community, a library and an educational role, and daily worship goes on around visitors.
It is also, unusually, a museum of everything devotees have given it: Buddha images in many styles, jade and gold statues, ivory and wood carvings, clocks and gramophones, and, according to some guides, vintage cars. There is no tidy curatorial logic. That is the appeal and also the complaint, since the labelling is thin and the building is cluttered.
Seema Malaka, the temple's separate meditation hall on Beira Lake, was designed by Geoffrey Bawa and is the tourist favourite, and the temple is known for its Navam Perahera procession, held in February. A Bo sapling from the Sri Maha Bodhi at Anuradhapura is planted on the site.
Worth your attention
The crowded museum rooms
Donated Buddhas, jade, carvings and curiosities fill the halls. Take time to look rather than rushing, since the labelling is minimal.
Seema Malaka
Bawa’s open pavilion on Beira Lake, with rows of Buddha statues. Reached by a short walk or tuk-tuk from the main temple and charged separately.
The Bo tree
A sapling from the Sri Maha Bodhi at Anuradhapura is planted on the site, a reminder that this is an active place of worship.
The Navam Perahera
Held in February, the temple’s best-known festival. Worth timing a visit around if you can, though expect crowds.
Before you go
Do this
- Dress modestly before you leave the hotel
- Ask permission before photographing murals and people
- Visit Seema Malaka as part of the same trip
- Go in the morning or late afternoon when it is quieter
- Take your time with the cluttered rooms
Know this first
- Seema Malaka tends to be crowded at peak times
- Some of the museum is cluttered and poorly labelled
- Sources differ on fees and hours, so check on the day
- Monks and worshippers use the site, so keep voices low and do not pose with your back to a Buddha image
Getting to Gangaramaya Temple
Most people see Gangaramaya Temple as part of a stay around Colombo. Our Colombo guide covers where to stay, how long to give it and what else is nearby.
Coming straight from the airport, the relevant run is Colombo Airport to Colombo — fixed price per vehicle, driver waiting inside arrivals with a name board.
Read the full Colombo guideFrom Colombo Airport
Car up to 3 passengers; vans quoted on the route page. No night surcharge.
Gangaramaya Temple — frequently asked
What is Gangaramaya?
A working Buddhist temple in Colombo, founded in the late 19th century, that also holds a museum of donated objects and a nearby lakeside meditation hall.
What is Seema Malaka?
A meditation hall and pavilion on Beira Lake, designed by architect Geoffrey Bawa and linked to the temple. It is reached on foot or by short tuk-tuk.
Is there a dress code?
Yes. Cover shoulders and knees and expect to remove your shoes. Sarongs are sometimes available near the entrance.
What is the Navam Perahera?
The temple’s best-known annual procession, held in February according to Colombo guides.
Also worth stopping for around Colombo
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