Kelaniya
Kelaniya is a suburb of Colombo city in Western Province, Sri Lanka. It is known for the Buddhist temple built on the banks of the Kelani River, which runs through the suburb. It is also a religious center for veneration of the figure Vibhishana.
Historical and Cultural Significance
Kelaniya (Kalyani) is mentioned in the Buddhist chronicle, the Mahawansa which states that the Gautama Buddha (5th century BC) visited the place, after which the dagaba of the temple was built.[1]
The suburb is also of historical importance as the capital of a provincial king Kelani Tissa (1st century BC) whose daughter, Vihara Maha Devi was the mother of king Dutugemunu the great, regarded as the most illustrious of the 186 or so kings of Sri Lanka between the 5th century BC and 1815.
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 Dagaba (Sthupa or Buddhist temple) seen today was built with the throne as a relic inside.
Kelaniya Raja Maha Vihara 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 January every year.
Transport
The A1 highway connecting Colombo with Kandy runs along this suburb. The Kelaniya Railway Station is located close to the Colombo Kandy Road and provides rail connections with the rest of the country.
Education
The University of Kelaniya is situated at Kelaniya near the Colombo-Kandy Road.
References
- ↑ Wilhelm Geiger (Tr), The Mahavansa, or The Great Chronicle of Ceylon, Oxford, OUP, 1920. http://lakdiva.org/culavamsa/vol_0.html
http://www.gurukulacollege.sch.lk/ 123456 Foundation Gurukula College was started in the 1st of July 1948 with 14 students consisted of both laymen and clergy. As a consequence of an internal conflict Dharmaloka college hither to situated at Vidyalankara Pirivena, Peliyagoda was shifted to Waragoda. Thus Professor Yakkaduwe Sri Pagnarama thero pioneered in the school. Through started as an English medium school. The school from its earliest periods gave priority to cultural and national values and sinhala literature
External links
Coordinates: 06°57′24″N 79°55′14″E / 6.95667°N 79.92056°E