- An Amazing Abode Of Buddha
By MeeraIf you want to see Buddha in every form and imagination and from every corner of the world, then make your way to Sri Lanka. Here he rests in peaceful contemplation for his followers and other believers to gaze to their heart’s content and wonder at the artistic passion and dedication of the creators.
Carvings are so big and tiny and vast in the most visited temple of Gangaramaya in Colombo that one needs lot of time and patience to study and imbibe on what human hands can create. This is not just a temple but a treasure trove of Buddhist culture and learning in Sri Lanka. It is not surprising that it beautifully encompasses the rich influences from India, Thailand, Indonesia and China.
It is sizzling hot even in the month of December as I cross the Galle sea face and move towards the city centre of Colombo near Beira Lake. There is heavy rush of tourists on the Sri Jinarathana Road and I am left wondering on the reasons for this. I am at the Gangaramaya Temple, a very significant destination where each and every visitor to this island nation makes it a point to visit.
Anything and everything connected to Buddhist religion can be found here either in the Vihara, the Museum or in the Learning Centre. One gets to see a pagoda full of colorful Buddha statues, a monastery, assembly hall for monks, a relic chamber, and of course, the Bodhi tree. The one that catches your eye is the Thai style of sequential placing of Buddha statues on elevated steps.
Inside the Gangaramaya temple, the ceilings and the stairways are embellished in such a way that each carving and painting has a story to tell. This temple is an unusual mix of temple and museum. I was taken aback to see vintage cars, taxidermied elephants, stereo sets, cameras and some irrelevant stuff from various countries.
My helpful tourist guide Fernandes informed me that they were all donations from people and nothing is refused by the temple authorities. However, the most sacred item in the museum is a lock of hair of Buddha, reportedly donated by an Indian temple.
As I wander from the elaborately carved statues and deities of both Buddha and Hindu gods along with some unique artifacts on display grab my eyeballs. The numerous golden thrones, elephant tusks, carved ivory, trinkets, watches, coins, weapons, jewelry, etc has been labeled with its history and background that it is impossible to read and absorb in such a short visit.
As I move from here to the left side to the waterfront, one gets to see lot of monks and their disciples. This is the Seema Malaka temple in the middle of a water body. Located in the tranquil and salubrious Beira Lake, this is not a place of worship as it is used for meditation. On the floating platforms, one is left wonder struck to see serene images of Buddha statues as also a shrine of Bodhi tree on the left.
To visit this entire temple complex, the charges are Rs 300 Sri Lankan rupees per person and to absorb the significance of the huge collection in the temple and the museum, it takes almost a day but it is worth spending your time and learning the history and heritage of this tiny tear shaped nation.
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1 comment:
A great religious destination
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