- Kelaniya
Kelaniya is a small town very close to
Colombo , the capital ofSri Lanka . It is inGampaha District, close to the road between Colombo andKandy andBiyagama road. It is sited on theKelani River , which takes its name from the town. Kelaniya's history is first recorded at the time ofGautama Buddha (5th century BCE) and it is known for theBuddhist temple built on the banks of theKelani River . Sri LankanBuddhists believe that the Buddha visited Kelaniya in order to quell a quarrel between twoNāga leaders of two warring factions: Chulodara (literally "the small-bellied one") and Mahodara (literally "the big-bellied one"). They were quarrelling over a jewel-encrusted throne. After the Buddha showed them the futility of their quarrel they converted to Buddhism and together offered the throne to the Buddha. It is believed that the Dagoba (pagoda or Buddhist temple) seen today was built with the throne as a relic inside.The town is also of historical importance as the capital of a provincial king
Kelani Tissa (1st century BCE) whose daughter,Vihara Maha Devi was the mother of kingDutu Gemunu , regarded as the most illustrious of the 186 or so kings of Sri Lanka between the5th century BCE and1815 . Around the15th century , Kelaniya was described in theSandesa Kavyas as a beautiful city. Of late theKelaniya Raja Maha Vihara has become famous because of the beautiful paintings and sculpture bySolias Mendis depicting various events in thehistory of Sri Lanka . Thousands of Buddhists come to see the Buddhist pageant of Kelaniya, popularly referred to asDuruthu Maha Perahera of Kelaniya in the month of November/December and January every year.The
University of Kelaniya is situated at Kelanyia near the Colombo-Kandy Road.External links
* [http://www.lanka.info/Sri_Lanka/cities/gampaha_kelaniya.jsp Entry at Lanka Info]
* [http://www.lanka.info/Sri_Lanka/cities/gampaha_kelaniya.jsp Entry at Lanka Info]References
* [http://www.fallingrain.com/world/CE/36/Brendiyawatta.html FallingRain Map - elevation = 0m]
"Kelaniya temple"
Wikimedia Foundation. 2010.
