Aluvihare Rock Temple – historic temple of a landmark Buddhist event By Arundathie Abeysinghe   Surrounded by verdant hills Aluvihare Rock Temple is a historic temple situated in Matale in *Matale – *Dambulla Road about 30 kilometers from Kandy City. History of the Rock Temple dates to 3rd century BC, the era of King Devanampiyatissa (247 BC – 207 BC). According to legends, King Devanampiyatissa had founded the Rock Temple after the introduction of Buddhism to *Ceylon and had also built the dagoba (stupa) and planted the *Bo sapling in the temple premises. The Rock Temple spreads across a large area through rocks and verdant vistas interspersed with coconut palms. The Rock Temple is the historic location where the *Tripitaka, the Pali canon was first written in text on *ola leaves. Situated on several levels of rock surface and lush greenery, the atmosphere of the Rock Temple has a majestic ...

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Spectacular Kandy Lake – centerpiece of Kandy City By Arundathie Abeysinghe   Iconic Kandy Lake enhances the beauty of Kandy City with glistening waters during the day and illuminated waters with reflections of colorful lights of nearby buildings at night…Abundant with avifauna, schools of fish swimming near the surface of the Lake… Many species of aquatic life near the shores… Trees providing a shady atmosphere to the shores of the Lake, some with colorful flowers dotted with different species of birds perched on branches… Kandy Lake is the centerpiece and greatest attraction in Kandy City, Sri Lanka’s cultural capital… Kandy Lake is considered as the heart and soul of Kandy City, an iconic and spectacular landmark because of its central location and the splendor it adds to the City. Kandy Lake and the island in its center with a few trees including palm trees have been featured in many picture ...

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Bahiravakanda Vihara Buddha Statue in Kandy – By Arundathie Abeysinghe   This beautifully sculpted white omnipresent Buddha Statue is 88 feet (about 27 meters) in height and depicts the Buddha in the posture of Dhyana Mudra (posture of meditation associated with the Buddha’s Enlightenment). It is one of the tallest Buddha Statues in Sri Lanka as well as a prominent landmark in Kandy City. The temple where the Buddha statue is located is Sri Maha Bodhi Viharaya. But it is popular as Bahirawa Kanda (Gnome Mountain) Temple. This temple is situated at Bahirawakanda Road about two kilometers from Kandy City. Majority of Buddhist temples in Kandy were constructed during the Kandyan Kingdom under the guidance of Kandyan Kings. But this temple was constructed in 1992 and was officially opened on January 1, 1993. The Temple was founded by Venerable Ampitiye Dhammarama Thero. According to devotees, paying homage to the Bahirawa Kanda Vihara Buddha ...

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