Kande Vihara Temple

One of the most iconic places for Buddhists in Sri Lanka. The Buddha Statue established here is said to be the biggest in Asia. This place witnesses heavy footfall during the poya days. It is said to avoid the poya days if you want to go and pray there. One must visit this place in the evening or early in the morning as the sun goes up the rocks outside the temple get warm and it gets difficult to walk through barefoot.

The temple was founded by Karapagala Dewamitta Thero in 1734,[2] under the guidance of Udugama Chandrasara thero who was then chief incumbent of Galapatha Raja Maha Vihara and a pupil of Weliwita Sri Saranankara Thero. Since then the temple was renovated and developed time to time under state patronage that lead the temple to become a major Buddhist shrine in the country. In 1904 the Kshethrarama Pirivena, an educational institution for monks, was attached to the temple as a result of the efforts done by Hikkaduwe Sri Sumangala Thero.[3] The pirivena acts as a center for Buddhist education in the country, is also conducted by the Kande Vihara.

One of famous temples in Sri Lanka. Crowded on poya days. If you want to worship or visit freely avoid poya days. There is a massive budda statue aside and beautiful. Parking available.

One of the most iconic places for Buddhists in Sri Lanka. The Buddha Statue established here is said to be the biggest in Asia which is a soothing sight. A great place to venerate Lord Buddha.
Shrines for gods and goddesses are also present here who are believed to be historically and religiously paramount for both Buddhists and Hindus.

The temple's hilltop location enhances its allure, and the grand Buddha statue is truly impressive.

A Buddist temple having a Lord Buddha's huge statue.
Nice place to visit near Bentota tourism area.
Very close to Galle Colombo main road.

Beautiful temple, loved the painted walls, amazing atmosphere,but a lot of people

"I recently visited the Kande Viharaya temple in Sri Lanka and was immediately struck by the tranquil and peaceful ambiance of this sacred place. It's a must-visit destination for anyone looking for an oasis of calm to pray and meditate. The breathtaking architecture and serene surroundings of the temple are awe-inspiring and create a perfect setting to connect with the inner self. The temple's history is fascinating.
I highly recommend experiencing the calming energy of Kande Viharaya for anyone seeking spiritual rejuvenation."

Good place for visit and nice viwe. I'm very proud to visit that place

Kande Vihara is a prominent Buddhist temple located in the Kalutara District of Sri Lanka. It gained recognition as an archaeological site by the government and is known for its historical significance. The temple sits atop a hill near Aluthgama town and derives its name from being a mountain temple.

Founded in 1734 by Karapagala Dewamitta Thero, under the guidance of Udugama Chandrasara Thero, who was a pupil of Weliwita Sri Saranankara Thero and the chief incumbent of Galapatha Raja Maha Vihara at the time. Over the years, the temple has undergone renovations and development with state patronage, solidifying its status as a major Buddhist shrine in the country.

In 1904, the temple established the Kshethrarama Pirivena, an educational institution for monks, through the efforts of Hikkaduwe Sri Sumangala Thero. The pirivena serves as a center for Buddhist education in Sri Lanka and operates under the auspices of Kande Vihara.

The temple features several ancient structures, including an image house, a stupa, and a sacred Bodhi tree enclosed by an octagonal wall. The Bodhi tree, believed to be over 300 years old, holds significant religious importance. The temple's large stupa, constructed in 1935, encloses a smaller stupa built by Udugama Chandrasara Thero in 1783.

One of the notable additions to the temple is a colossal Samadhi Buddha statue depicting the Bhoomisparsha Mudra. Its construction began in 2002, and the completed statue was unveiled to the public in 2007. Standing at a height of 48.8 meters (160 feet), it is regarded as one of the tallest sitting Buddha statues worldwide.

The temple complex comprises various structures such as the Stupa, Bodhi Tree, Relic Chamber, Image House, Upulvan Devalaya, and other main Devalas, including Kataragama and Pattini Devalaya. Additionally, the Bodhi tree, preaching hall, and Seema Malaka are situated outside the Vihara premises. The Stupa, built in a bell shape, stands within an octagonal shelter.

The relic chamber, believed to be the oldest building on the temple grounds, features a stone moonstone and a sculpted door frame at its entrance. The chamber's inner walls and ceiling are adorned with Kandyan Era Frescoes from the latter part of the Kandyan period. The temple's image house consists of an inner chamber and an outer chamber. The entrance to the image house features a visually captivating Thorana with three arch-shaped entrances. Inside the inner chamber, visitors can find three Buddha images in standing, seated, and sleeping postures. The walls and ceilings of both chambers are adorned with Jataka tales, depicting moments from the Buddha's life journey and various other murals.

Kande Wiharaya is a sacred Buddhist place. Both Sinhala and Hindu devotees visit here for blessings. Vishnu kovil in Kande Wiharaya is famous among both Sinhala and Hindu religious believers. Yesterday, I went here with my family after four years. Place bit developed with new buildings.

Awesome Spot, an absolutely dreamful place

Kande Viharaya Temple,Aluthgama.
One of the most famous buddhist temple in Aluthgama area.Peaceful place and ancient temple.

Beautiful place. Lots of things to see. It is recommended to come in the morning before the stone floor is very hot from the sun. Try to find elephants.

It's a nice temple in Bentota town, built in 1734. It has a 160 feet sitting Buddha statue. The temple complex has Buddha, Ganesha and Lakshmi temple. The Bodhi tree in the temple complex is supposed to be more than 300 years old.

The Aluthgama Kande Viharaya is a Buddhist temple located in Aluthgama, Sri Lanka. It is situated atop a hill, offering panoramic views of the surrounding area. The temple is known for its serene and picturesque setting, attracting both local devotees and tourists seeking spiritual solace and cultural exploration. The temple's history dates back many centuries, and it holds significance as a place of worship, meditation, and cultural heritage in Sri Lanka.

Explored Kande Wiharaya, a truly sacred temple. Smooth transportation, good roads,visit with minimal crowds and traffic made it delightful. Highly recommend this place, especially for Lord Vishnu devotees. I'd rate it a solid 5 out of 5 stars! ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Kande Viharaya, also known as Kande Wiharaya, is a Buddhist temple located in the town of Aluthgama, in the southwest coast of Sri Lanka. It is one of the most visited temples in the country, attracting a large number of local and foreign visitors every year.

The temple is situated on top of a hill, which provides breathtaking views of the surrounding landscape, including the Bentota River and the Indian Ocean. The name "Kande" means hill in Sinhalese, and "Viharaya" refers to a Buddhist temple.

The history of Kande Viharaya dates back to the ancient kingdoms of Sri Lanka. According to legend, the temple was built by King Valagamba, who reigned during the 1st century BC. The king, who was forced to flee from his capital due to an invasion, is said to have sought refuge on the hill where the temple now stands. During his exile, he built a temple as a gesture of gratitude to the gods who protected him during his ordeal.

Over the centuries, the temple has undergone numerous renovations and additions, with many kings and nobles contributing to its development. The temple's architecture reflects the influences of the Kandyan and Gampola periods, with intricate carvings and murals adorning the buildings.

One of the main attractions of Kande Viharaya is the 160-foot-high Buddha statue, which is one of the tallest in Sri Lanka. The statue was built in the 2000s and is visible from miles away, making it a prominent landmark in the region. The temple also houses a number of other statues, including those of the Hindu gods Vishnu and Ganesh.

Another noteworthy feature of Kande Viharaya is the annual Perahera festival, which takes place in July or August. The festival involves a procession of elephants adorned with colorful costumes, as well as traditional dancers and drummers. The festival attracts thousands of visitors from across Sri Lanka and is a vibrant celebration of the country's cultural heritage.

In addition to its religious and cultural significance, Kande Viharaya is also known for its natural beauty. The hill on which the temple is located is surrounded by lush greenery, and visitors can enjoy scenic walks and hikes in the area.

Overall, Kande Viharaya is a must-visit destination for anyone interested in exploring Sri Lanka's rich cultural heritage and natural beauty. The temple's stunning architecture, fascinating history, and vibrant festivals make it a unique and unforgettable experience for visitors.

Buddhist religious place with a calm environment even with lot of people. You can park your vehicle outside and inside of the temple. A good place to do religious activities in the morning or afternoon. Can't walk on the tiles in front of the big lord Buddha's statue because of the high heat.

We reached the church complex via a flight of stairs, in front of which the TUKK-TUKKs are parked. The 108-meter-high Buddha statue itself is very imposing, but the point was hidden behind the back entrance. A fantastic sight greeted us in the room behind the beautiful doors (see pictures). We didn't see a tourist here, but a local man, I don't think many of them went in, because the locals went to the church building next door to sacrifice, so I think most of the tourists followed them. It is worth visiting all the buildings, you can discover many beautiful things in the exterior and interior art design of the buildings.