Kotte Rajamaha Vihara

Buddhist temple

Secure Parking

Watching Time : 2 or 3 Hours

Eco Friendly Environment

Amazing Experience

The history of Kotte Raja Maha Vihara dates back to the Kingdom of Kotte as described by the poetic literature (Sandesha Kavya) during the golden era of literature in the 15th Century. During the reign of King Parakramabahu VI (1415–1467), the construction of the temple was begun and completed in all aspects with the royal patronage. There was a monastery at this location during the Kotte Period, but only a few stone pillars remain today. The temple features paintings from the early British
period, including one of Queen Victoria, along with other British influences. In 1887, the temple received a donation from the British  Government to commemorate Queen Victoria's Diamond Jubilee, and the modernizing of the paintings leading to the image house with a statue of the reclining Buddha were commissioned that same year. The temple has also been described in the poetic literature (Sandesha Kavya) of the era.

A squatting pan from the Kotte Period lies in the garden, and an old door frame with Dutch architectural features is fixed to an older building. Behind the temple, there is a laterite boulder adorned with the Makara Thorana (Dragon Gate). This site is the highest point in the area, which is why Sītāvaka Rājasiṁha camped here during his attack on the Kotte Fortress. Round stones, believed to have been used as cannonballs by the Portuguese to attack Rājasiṁha’s army, were found here.

During the Sinhala Kingdom, the Sacred Tooth Relic of the Buddha was traditionally kept near the king's palace for protection. However, it was moved annually to a temple for public worship for three months. Kotte Rajamaha Vihara was where the Tooth Relic was kept during the Kotte Period. The stone pillars at the Vihara premises, as well as many artefacts in and the surrounding area going back to the 15th century, confirm the historical significance of the Kotte Rajamaha Vihara. Much before the Kandyan Sri Dalada Perahara, the historic parade of the Kotte Raja Maha Vihara has continued as an annual event from the 15th Century to honor the Sacred Tooth Relic of the Buddha.

Opening Hours

Sunday : 8.30 AM – 9.00 PM
Monday : 8.30 AM – 9.00 PM
Tuesday : 8.30 AM – 9.00 PM
Wednesday : 8.30 AM – 9.00 PM
Thursday : 8.30 AM – 9.00 PM
Friday : 8.30 AM – 9.00 PM
Saturday : 8.30 AM – 9.00 PM

Tour Map

Gallery

  • A famous historical temple in Pitakotte. Historical "Na Bodhiya" A lot of Buddhists are going to worship this place.

    Sanath Keerthisinghe Avatar Sanath Keerthisinghe
    April 25, 2024

    Very peaceful and nice, has a historical significance (read about Kotte Kingdom before). There are 2 elephants living! And all in the middle of the city! One of the buildings was... Read More

    Natalya de Silva Avatar Natalya de Silva
    April 25, 2024
  • one of the historic temples in Sri Lanka at kotte... has a long history behind his existence... and has a rich culture built in with so many traditions....

    Nandun Kahandawa Avatar Nandun Kahandawa
    April 25, 2024

    Lovely yearly pageant. This is over 100 year s old

    Inuka Abayaratna Avatar Inuka Abayaratna
    April 25, 2020
  • It is a historical temple located near Colombo. Its old inage house has a lot of Kandyan style mural paintings. The new chapter house also looks beautiful. However the temple... Read More

    Sydney Ranjith Avatar Sydney Ranjith
    November 25, 2024

    Wonderful Temple with king generous knowledgeable Monks. plenty of parking. There's a lot of animals roaming free around the grounds. Peceful. 1000's of parrots come to rest in the evening.

    Daham Amarasinghe Avatar Daham Amarasinghe
    April 25, 2024
  • If you are interested in the history and fully fledged culture of Sri Lanka, you might want to visit the Kotte Rajamaha Vihara, a historic Buddhist temple situated in Sri... Read More

    Leon Mudalige Avatar Leon Mudalige
    April 25, 2024

    Kotte Rajamaha Vihara is a beautiful ancient Buddhist temple and archaeological site right in the heart of Sri Lanka's capital but once you step inside, you’d never guess you're in... Read More

    Chanuka Nadun Avatar Chanuka Nadun
    April 21, 2025
  • There are few PET plastic collection bins. Devotees should practice to drop their PET waste into the correct bins. That will great help to the environment.

    Asitha Dharshana Avatar Asitha Dharshana
    April 25, 2021

    One of the Oldest temple in Sri Lanka..

    Isuru Bathiya Avatar Isuru Bathiya
    April 25, 2018
  • Kotte Rajamaha Viharaya. Very old Buddhist Temple in Sri jayawardhanapura Kotte. Very beautiful Annuel pageant held every year in September month. Upasampada Pinkama also take place annually Near to temple there are very old... Read More

    prasad chaminda Avatar prasad chaminda
    September 25, 2024

    Calm and quite place with peaceful environment. You can relax your mind in the middle of busy commercial capital.

    Piyori Niranjan Obergfell Cooray Avatar Piyori Niranjan Obergfell Cooray
    April 25, 2023
  • The former Capital city of srilanka . Ancient and famous Bubbies temple . Kotte rajamaha viharaya..

    Ruwan Peiris Avatar Ruwan Peiris
    April 25, 2020

    One of the historic buddhist temple located in the capital of Sri Lanka, built during the ancient Kotte kingdom. Calm and quite place. Annual perahera is one of key attraction... Read More

    Prasanna Dahanayaka Avatar Prasanna Dahanayaka
    April 25, 2018
  • A Buddhist temple which was constructed by King Sri Parakramabahu VI around 1415AD. A very calm and religious place. Most of the locals do their Buddhist rituals and considered... Read More

    Pasindu Galgomuwa Avatar Pasindu Galgomuwa
    April 25, 2017

    A historic Buddhist temple situated in Sri Jayawardenepura Kotte, Western province, Sri Lanka. It is located near to the historic building Pita Kotte Gal Ambalama at the Pita Kotte junction on Kotte road. The temple has been... Read More

    M¡hiN_M¡ndula Avatar M¡hiN_M¡ndula
    April 25, 2022
  • Kotte Rajamaha Viharaya, also known as Sri Jayawardenepura Kotte Rajamaha Viharaya, is an ancient Buddhist temple located in Sri Jayawardenepura Kotte, the capital city of Sri Lanka. This historic temple... Read More

    Mayuri Karunarathna Avatar Mayuri Karunarathna
    August 25, 2024

    This is one of the great place which shows the religious similarity. Because in ancient Kingdom of Kotte, both temple and church was there in same place. Buddhist monks allowed... Read More

    Roshan Priyashantha Avatar Roshan Priyashantha
    April 25, 2020
  • A very beautiful temple.

    Björn Krafft Avatar Björn Krafft
    April 25, 2022

    The Kotte Sri Rajamaha Viharaya, located in Sri Jayawardenepura Kotte, is a historic Buddhist temple with profound cultural and religious significance. Established during the reign of King Parakramabahu VI (1412–1467)... Read More

    Movindu Shenai Avatar Movindu Shenai
    December 25, 2024