Kalutara District

Kalutara famous for the robber and  coconut cultivation. Land square of the district is 1593 km2 . Lot of historical, cultural and other important places are situated in this area, as well as other districts. This area consists with the beautiful beach and it helps to attract the local and foreign tourists.

Some Important places in Kalutara

• Kalutara Bodhi (Temple)
• Pahiyangala (An prehistoric cave)
• Weheragala Kanda
• Rankothkowera temple
• Aluthgama Kande Viharaya.
• Lighthouse in Beruwala
• Bava Garden

 

Temples in Kalutara District

  Kalutara Bodhi

Kalutara Bodhi is located in the central of kalutara town. This is a one of the well-known temple among Buddhist people around the world. The Boo tree which is shown in this temple is one of the plants of the Sri Maha Bodhi, Anuradhapura and it planted in hundred years ago. In the left side   of the Bodhi, can be seen a huge pagoda ( chaithya) . This pagoda was created in 1942 year by ven. Aththadassi Medankara thero.

Aluthgama Kande Viharaya

This temple is situated in the kaluwamodara village, near the Aluthgama town. This place is well known among all Sri Lankan without any religious cleavage. One of the famous fane for Vishnu god is situated in this temple.  This temple established in 1734 year and it has lot of drawing which are related to drawings of Mahanuwara Era.

lately, one of the Statue of the Buddha is created in this temple. It can be describe as a one of the highest stand statue of the Buddha in Sri Lanka. This temple consists with a rest room with better facilitates for the multi days trips.

Veedagama Maha Maithiya Viharaya

This temple is situated in the 11 km away from Panadura town. This temple has long history and established in by Ven. Buddhagosha thero.

This temple was famous for a two reasons. The first one, Ven Buddhagosha thero, was in addition to being the first incumbent, was also a ‘Raja Guru’ (educator of kings) during the Kurunegala period. 

 He was said to be of South Indian (Chola) origin. The second one was Ven Maha Veedagama thero, who gained fame for matters related to not just religion, but also ‘manthara gurukam’. Ven Thotagamuve Rahula thero was a student of Maha Veedagama thero. According to one legend, the former took an overdose of the memory enhancer ‘Sarasvathie Thailaya’ and consequently was able to remember everything he heard. 

more details read this article

Pothupitiya Walukarama Maha Viharaya

This temple is situated in north Pothupitiya village and established in 1850 year. One of the beautiful “Sandakadapahana” (moonstone) can be seen in this temple. And temple have statuary.

Pokunuvita  RaJa Maha Viharaya

This temple is situated in the Panadura – Horana road, 3 km away from the Veedagama temple mentioned earlier. According to some legendary, this temple started in 4th century. At this present, this temple is protected by department of Archeology. Some drawings which can be shown in this temple are identified as drawing of Mahanuwara Era.

 

Rankoth Vehera (Pagoda)

This temple is well-known temple among Sri Lankan Buddhists and its situated in Panadura area. According to the historical sources, this temple have long history and it was stared at the year 1810. Temple was famous due to Argument of Panadura. It was held on this temple. Currently this temple was developed by villagers and government. This temple has a Pagoda which was created in 1863 year. Temple has one of the Building called relic house and it was built at British Era.

Contact details

Ven. Dr. Kahapola Sugatarathna

Chief Incumbent

Rankot Viharaya

Panadura

T.P. 0094 38 22322423

Email : sugataratana_rankotviharaya@isplanka.lk

Web : http://rankotviharaya.org

Ashokaramaya

This temple is started at 1880 year. It is situated in Kalutara north, near the Kalutara Bodhi. This temple also has drawings which are related for the Mahanuwara Era.

Other Importat Places..

 

Richmond Castle

This is an ancient place which is situated in Payagala area, several miles from Kalutara Bodhi. After the visiting Kalutara Bodhi, everyone can go to watch this place easily. There are have lot of statues and those are created as Greek style. Owner of this palace was Don Athar de Silva and at this present, this is controlled by a board of caretakers.

For more details please read this article 

 

Pahiyangala

This is a cave which is situated in the vahampitiya village near the Kalawellawa road. This cave can be identified as a highest cave in the Sri Lanka and its height is 470 feets. According to the Mahawansha, A  Buddhist thero named Pahiyan who was came for the Chaina, lived in this cave at the 5th centuries. More than 3000 peoples can be stayied in this cave easily

Beruwala Light house

This is situated in an island one km away from the Beruwala beach.  There is have a boat service accompany to visit this place from Beruwala beach.

Bava Garden

This garden was created by famous Architecture named “Bevis William Fredrik Bava” it is situated in the Darga town near the Mathugama town. Tousand of local and foreign visitors comes daily for visit this place. This garden consists with some rare trees and flowering plants. Some ancian drawings can be seen in the old house of this garden. Small entrance fee is charged for visitors. This will be open at 8 am to 5 pm daily.