Kelaniya

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Kelaniya is a small town very close to Colombo, the capital of Sri Lanka. It is in Gampaha District, close to the road between Colombo and Kandy and Biyagama road. It is sited on the Kelani River, which takes its name from the town.

Kelaniya Temple.

Kelaniya's history is first recorded at the time of Gautama Buddha (5th century BCE) and it is known for the Buddhist temple built on the banks of the Kelani River. Sri Lankan Buddhists believe that the Buddha visited Kelaniya in order to quell a quarrel between two Nāga 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 king Dutu Gemunu, regarded as the most illustrious of the 186 or so kings of Sri Lanka between the 5th century BCE and 1815.

Sculpture of Kelaniya Temple.

Around the 15th century, Kelaniya was described in the Sandesa Kavyas as a beautiful city. Of late Kelaniya Temple has become famous because of the beautiful paintings and sculpture by Solias Mendis depicting various events in the history of Sri Lanka. Thousands of Buddhists come to see the Buddhist pageant of Kelaniya popularly referred to as Duruthu 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.