There are over 8,000 temples in Sri Lanka. The following is a short
list prepared for the purpose of the Directory grouped according to periods
of history: -
ISURUMUNl RAJA MAHA VIHARA, Anuradhapura.
Situated below the bund of the Tissawewa Tank, the carving of a pair
of lovers in the compound is one of the best pieces of sculpture in Sri
Lanka.
AUKANA RAJA MAHA VIHARA, AUKANA, (Vijithapura, Anuradhapura District)
Proceeding on the Kalawewa (tank) bund at the 9th milepost is this
remarkable stone statue of the Buddha 38 feet 10 inches in height. It is
the work of King Dhatusena (455-477 CE).
SERUWILA VIHARA, SERUWILA. (Trincomalee District)
King Kavantissa constructed the dagoba here enshrining the frontal
bone of the Buddha.
VATADAGE TEMPLE, TIRlYAYA. (Trincomalee District)
About a mile off a Point between the 27th and 28th mile-post on Trincomalee-Pulmoddai
Road, this temple is located on a hill. It is famous for its archeological
remains.
ALOKA VIHARA, ALUVIHARE. (Matale District)
During the reign of King Valagambahu (103 BC and 89-77 BC). the 4th
Buddhist Convocation was held here and the Sacred Texts (Tri-pitaka) and
Commentaries were reduced to writing for the first time. At the summit
of the rock is a dagoba. It is situated 2 miles north of Matale on the
MataleDambulla road.
RANGIRI DAMBULLA RAJA MAHA VIHARA, Dambulla (Matale District) This Vihara known in ancient terms as the Jambukollena Vihara is situated on. top of a rock. Here are cave inscriptions of the 2nd Century BC. Inside several drip edged caved image houses have been constructed. The images are carved out of the living rock.
TANTIRIMALE RAJA MAHA VIHARA, Maha Vilachychiya
Tantrirnale (Anuradhapura District)
RAJA MAHA VIHARA-Attanagalia, (Colombo District)
MULGKIRIGALA RAJA MAHA VIHARA Mulgirigala (Hambantota District)
SITULPAVVA (Cittalapabbata) RUHUNU NATIONAL PARK, (Hambantota
District)
Founded during the reign of King Kavantissa 2nd century BC.
PIDURANGALA VIHARA, PIDURANGALA, SIGIRIYA (Matale District)
Situated one mile from the famous Sigiriya Rock. this cave temple and
Dagoba was originally constructed in the 10th century CE.
GAL VIHARA, Polonnaruwa
A rock-hewn shrine. Carved on the face of the rock are 3 colossal figures
of the Buddha. There is a recumbent Buddha 44 feet in length.
KIRIVEHERA, Polonnaruwa
One of the best preserved ancient dagobas of Sri Lanka, it is said
tohave been constructed by Subadhra, Consort of King Parakrama Bahu 1 (1153-1186
CE).
THUPARAMA, Polonivaruwa
This is the oldest building in which the ancient brick roof survives.
LANKATHILAKA VIHARA, Polonnaruwa
This was constructed by King Parakrama Bahu 1 and renovated by Vijayabahu
IV (1270-1272 CE).
SOMAVATI CETIYA, Meenvillu, Polonnaruwa.
It is 30 miles from Polonnaruwa, close to Sungavilia.
DAMBADENIYA PERIOD
Mid. 13th-Mid 14th Cen.
RIDI VIHARA-Ridigama (Kurunegala District)
Situated at the 10th mile post on the Kurunegala-Rambodagalla Road,
it was originally established by Gamini Abhaya (22-31 CE).
YAPAHUWA RAJA MAHA VIHARA-Yapahuwa
KOTA VEHERA-Dedigama
Two miles off the Nelundeniya junction (42nd mile post on Colombo-Kandy,
Road) built by King Parakrama Bahu 1 (1153-1186 CE).
LANKATILAKA VIHARA-Handessa (Kandy District)
It is about 3 miles off the Daulagala road which turns right from near
the 65th mile-post on the Colombo-Kandy road.
GADALADENIYA VIHARA-Gadaladeniya (Kandy District)
It is situated off the Daulagala road which turns right from near the
65th mile-post on the Colornbo-Kandy road.
DEGALDORUWA VIHARA-Amunugama (Kandy District)
This cave temple is situated 11/2 miles North East of the ferry ar
Levella. and was built by King Kirtisiri Rajasingha (1747-1782 CE).
KOTTE RAJA MAHA VIHARA-Kotte Road, Kotte.
BELLANWILA RAJA MAHA VIHARA-Bellanwila.
ADAHANA MALUWA TEMPLE Asgiriya, Kandy.
Ven. Upali Thera from Thailand, who brought the Higher Ordination in
the 18th century was cremated here.
RAJAMAHA VIHARA-Suduhunpola, Kandy.
HINDAGALA VIHARA, Hindagala (Kandy District)
GALMADUWA VIHARA, Nattaranpota, (Kandy District)
This temple could be reached by proceeding one mile on the Kalapura
Road from Nattaranpota, which is on the Kandy-Kundasale Road.
Some temples in the City of Colombo and the suburbs
ABHAYASINHARAMAYA, Panchikawatte, Maradana, Colombo 10.
AGRASRAVAKA VIHARA, Mahabodhi Temple, 130, Maligakanda Road, Colombo 10.
ASOKARAMAYA. Timbirigasyaya Road. Havelock Town, Colombo 5.
BODHIRAJARAMAYA, 36/55 Kuppiyawatta Road, Maradana, Colombo 10.
BODHIRUKKARAMAYA, Sudharma Mawatha, Miligawatta, Colombo 10.
BODHIRUKKARAMAYA, 54 Akbar Lane. Colombo.
DHAWALASINGHARAMAYA, 60 Dhawalasingharama Road. Colombo 15.
DIPADUTTARAMAYA, 159, Kotahena, Colombo 13. (Thai Temple).
GANGARAMAYA, 61 Sri Jinaratana Road, Hunupitiya, Colobmo 2.
GOTAMI VIHARA, Borella, Colombo 8 (Famous for the wall paintings by George Keyt).
ISIPATANARAMAYA, 41 Isipatana Mawatha, Havelock Town, Colombo 5.
JAYASEKERARAMAYA, Temple Road, Maradana, Colombo 10.
JETAVANARAMAYA, 49, Jetawana Road, Colombo 14.
MALLIKARAMAYA, Mallikarama Road, Ratmalana.
MALLIKARAMAYA, Dematagoda, Colombo 9.
METTARAMAYA, Lauries Road, Bamabalapitiya, Colombo 4.
MIRANDARAMAYA, Mutwal, Colombo 13
PARAMANANDA PURANA VIHARA, Kotahena, Colombo 13.
POORVARAMAYA, Kirillapone, Colombo 5.
PURVARAMAYA, 47 Dias Place, Colombo 12.
SRI DHARMAKIRTIYARAMAYA, Kollupitiya, Colombo 2.
SRI DHARMODAYA PIRIVENA, Wellawatta, Colombo 6.
SRI JAYATILAKARAMAYA, 90 Suwarnachaitya Road, Colombo 14.
SRI NAGA VIHARA, Kotte Road, Kotte.
SRI SUDHARMARAMAYA, Sudharma Mawatha, Maligawatte, Colombo 10.
SRI WARDHANARAMAYA, Temple lane, Collupitiya, Colombo 3.
SUDHARMARAMAYA, Karagampitiya, Dehiwala.
SUVISUDDHARAMAYA, Wellawatte, Colombo 6.
TILAKARATNARAMAYA, Ward Place, Borella, Colombo 8.
VAJIRARAMAYA, Vajira Road, Bambalapitlya, Colombo 4.
VALUKARAMAYA, Kollupitiya, Colombo 3.
VELUVANARAMAYA, Dematagoda, Colombo 10.
VIJAYAMANGALARAMAYA, Vijayamangalarama Road, Kohuwala.