Kande Vihara

Kande Viharaya Kande Viharaya Kande Viharaya

Kande Vihara is one of the biggest Buddhist temples in the Kalutara district. The name of this sacred place means ‘Mountain Temple’ and was derived because it was built on the crest of a hill near to Aluthgama town. The temple is a formally recognized Archaeological Site of Sri Lanka.

While the temple was founded by Venerable Mong Karapagala Dewamitta in 1734; the credits for its construction the Venerable Monks Udugama Chandrasara and Dedduwa Dhammananda. However, the temple gains most of its current fame, not from its historical elements; but from the gigantic Samdhi Buddha statue unveiled in 2006. This 48 m statue is the tallest Seated Buddha statue in the world.

The Temple’s Features

Kande Vihare has all the important features necessary for a major Buddhist Temple. These include the Stupa, Bo Tree, Relic Chamber, Image House, Sri Vishnu Temple and the four Great Temples including the Kataragama Temple. The ancient Bo Tree, Sri Saranatissa Memorial Meditation Hall and other such structures are situated out the Vihara premisesmises.

  • The Stupa: Kande Vihara has a bell shaped stupa erected within an octagonal shelter. The base of the stupa has a flower petal molding with three steplike terraces above which is the dome. The square boxlike top before the spire has a Bo leaf engraving in each comer.
  • The Relic Chamber: This is believed to be the oldest structure within the Kande temple grounds. At the entrance to the chamber is a Moon Stone (Sandakada Pahana) on the ground and an ancient solid granite door frame. The relic casket lies within the inner chamber. The relic chamber is also one of the most beautiful places within the temple due to its ceiling and walls being completely covered in detailed and colorful paintings, belonging to the latter part of the Kandyan period.
  • The Bo Tree: The tree dates back to over 300 years. In 1980s a square enclosure wall was created in the tree.However, recently the present Chief Incumbent Monk erected an replaced the square enclosure with an octagonal one. The cells of the enclosure have sculptures depicting the events during the arrival of the Sri Maha Bodhi sapling to Sri Lanka.
  • The Image House: This attractive structure is decorated with complex floral and creeper designs, together with three arched entrances including one magnetic looking decorative arch. It was created in 1731 with an inner chamber and an outer chamber. Within the inner chamber are paintings of Buddha in the standing, seated and reclining postures. Figures of monks have also been painted along with other traditional artistic motifs.
  • Outside the Temple: Beyond the temple walls are the Meditation Hall; an ancient Bo Tree surrounded by a lotus petaled wall; and a five storied structure with a small relic chamber, a museum with artefacts, ancient books and scrolls, and the Sri Saranatissa Memorial Library. Numerous valuable books are available within this library. On the other side of the Bo Tree, is the Saranatyissa Dhamma Hall where Buddhism is preached to the masses.

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À propos du district de Kalutara

Kalutara est située à environ 42 km au sud de Colombo. Autrefois un important centre commercial d'épices, elle a été contrôlée par les Portugais, les Néerlandais et les Britanniques à différentes époques. La ville est connue pour ses paniers et tapis en bambou de haute qualité, ainsi que pour ses délicieux mangoustans. Le pont de Kalutara, long de 38 mètres, a été construit à l'embouchure de la rivière Kalu Ganga et sert de lien majeur entre les frontières occidentale et méridionale du pays. À l'extrémité sud du pont se trouve le Kalutara Vihara, un temple bouddhiste construit dans les années 1960, qui détient la distinction d'être la seule stupa au monde qui est creuse.

À propos de la province de l'Ouest

La province de l'Ouest est la province la plus densément peuplée du Sri Lanka. Elle abrite la capitale législative, Sri Jayawardenapura, ainsi que Colombo, le centre administratif et commercial du pays. La province est divisée en trois principaux districts : Colombo (642 km²), Gampaha (1 386,6 km²) et Kalutara (1 606 km²). En tant que centre économique du Sri Lanka, la province de l'Ouest abrite toutes les grandes entreprises locales et internationales, ainsi que des détaillants de grandes marques et de mode, vous offrant ainsi de nombreuses opportunités de shopping.

Avec la population la plus élevée de toutes les provinces, la province de l'Ouest possède également de nombreuses institutions éducatives prestigieuses, telles que l'Université de Colombo, l'Université de Sri Jayawardenepura, l'Université de Kelaniya, l'Université Ouverte du Sri Lanka, l'Université bouddhiste et pali du Sri Lanka, l'Université de Défense générale Sir John Kotelawala et l'Université de Moratuwa. La province de l'Ouest possède également le plus grand nombre d'écoles du pays, y compris des écoles nationales, provinciales, privées et internationales.

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