Blog Archives

Worship once and cleanse yourself-by Mahil Wijesinghe   Image Source:Sundayobserver Source:Sundayobserver The high regard for Kelaniya among the Buddhists is demonstrated by a popular anecdote which we have heard as children. Sung as a verse, it reads: Upan da sita karapu pavu netha – Varak vendoth Kelaniye. Though it claims that one’s sins will be washed away once the person worships at Kelaniya, it is a highly exaggerated statement intended to get devotees to go at least once and worship there. The Kelaniya temple is one of the most important places of worship for Buddhists in and around the capital. It nestles in spiritual surroundings on a higher terrace on the banks of the Kelani Ganga outside the highly urbanised Kelaniya city, ten kilometres Northeast of Colombo Fort, a short detour off the Kandy road. I got a chance to visit this temple one sunny day last week, prior to ...