Kelaniya
Encyclopedia
Kelaniya is a small town near Colombo
, Sri Lanka
in the Gampaha
District. It is known for the Buddhist temple built on the banks of the Kelani River
, which runs through the town. It is also a religious center for veneration of the figure Vibhishana
.
(5th century BC) visited the place, after which the dagoba
of the temple was built.
The town 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 Dagoba (pagoda
or Buddhist temple) seen today was built with the throne as a relic inside.
In about the 15th century, Kelaniya was described in the Sandesa Kavyas (missive poems) as a beautiful city. In the sælalihini sandesaya of Totagamuwe Sri Rahula, a Myna
is ordered to carry the missive to the god Vibhishana
at his temple in Kelaniya. According to the Ravana Katha of Wickramasinghe Adigar, after the defeat of Ravana
, Vibhishana transferred the Yaksha
capital from Alaka
mandawa to Kelaniya. Vibhishana continues to be worshipped by a diminishing number of adherents, mainly in the Kelaniya area.
It was destroyed by the Portuguese
and then rebuilt under King Rajasinha in the 1800's
Of late the 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 November/December and January every year.
connecting Colombo with Kandy runs along the town. The Kelaniya Railway Station is located close to the Colombo Kandy Road and provides rail connections
with the rest of the country.
is situated at Kelaniya near the Colombo
-Kandy
Road.
Also there is one of the popular School in island which was named as Sri Dharmaloka College
.
Colombo
Colombo is the largest city of Sri Lanka. It is located on the west coast of the island and adjacent to Sri Jayawardenapura Kotte, the capital of Sri Lanka. Colombo is often referred to as the capital of the country, since Sri Jayawardenapura Kotte is a satellite city of Colombo...
, Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka, officially the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka is a country off the southern coast of the Indian subcontinent. Known until 1972 as Ceylon , Sri Lanka is an island surrounded by the Indian Ocean, the Gulf of Mannar and the Palk Strait, and lies in the vicinity of India and the...
in the Gampaha
Gampaha
Gampaha is an urban city in Sri Lanka and is the capital of the Gampaha District in Western Province, north of Colombo. Gampaha District is separated from Colombo mainly by the Kelani River.-Namesake:...
District. It is known for the Buddhist temple built on the banks of the Kelani River
Kelani River
The Kelani River is a river in Sri Lanka. Ranking as the fourth longest river in the country, it stretches from the Sri Pada Mountain Range to Colombo. It covers approximately 80% of the water supply to Colombo. In addition to that, the river is used for transport, fisheries, sewage disposal,...
, which runs through the town. It is also a religious center for veneration of the figure Vibhishana
Vibhishana
Vibhishana or Bibhishan is a character in the epic Ramayana. He was the younger brother of the demon Ravana. Though a half-demon himself, Vibhishana was of a noble character and advised Ravana, who kidnapped and abducted Sita, to return her to her husband Rama in an orderly fashion...
.
Historical and Cultural Significance
Kelaniya (Kalyani) is mentioned in the Buddhist chronicle, the Mahawamsa which states that the Gautama BuddhaGautama Buddha
Siddhārtha Gautama was a spiritual teacher from the Indian subcontinent, on whose teachings Buddhism was founded. In most Buddhist traditions, he is regarded as the Supreme Buddha Siddhārtha Gautama (Sanskrit: सिद्धार्थ गौतम; Pali: Siddhattha Gotama) was a spiritual teacher from the Indian...
(5th century BC) visited the place, after which the dagoba
Dagoba
Dagoba may refer to:*Dagoba, the French metal band.* Dagoba Chocolate, a brand of organic chocolate.*Dagobah, the fictional planet from the Star Wars universeor*Stupa, the Buddhist building style....
of the temple was built.
The town 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
Naga
Naga or NAGA may refer to:* Nāga, a group of serpent deities in Hindu and Buddhist mythology.-People:* Nayan / Nayar/Nair people of Kerala Society* Naga people, a diverse ethnic identity in Northeast India...
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
Pagoda
A pagoda is the general term in the English language for a tiered tower with multiple eaves common in Nepal, India, China, Japan, Korea, Vietnam and other parts of Asia. Some pagodas are used as Taoist houses of worship. Most pagodas were built to have a religious function, most commonly Buddhist,...
or Buddhist temple) seen today was built with the throne as a relic inside.
In about the 15th century, Kelaniya was described in the Sandesa Kavyas (missive poems) as a beautiful city. In the sælalihini sandesaya of Totagamuwe Sri Rahula, a Myna
Sri Lanka Myna
The Sri Lanka Myna, Ceylon Myna or Sri Lanka Hill Myna , is a myna, a member of the starling family. This bird is endemic to Sri Lanka....
is ordered to carry the missive to the god Vibhishana
Vibhishana
Vibhishana or Bibhishan is a character in the epic Ramayana. He was the younger brother of the demon Ravana. Though a half-demon himself, Vibhishana was of a noble character and advised Ravana, who kidnapped and abducted Sita, to return her to her husband Rama in an orderly fashion...
at his temple in Kelaniya. According to the Ravana Katha of Wickramasinghe Adigar, after the defeat of Ravana
Ravana
' is the primary antagonist character of the Hindu legend, the Ramayana; who is the great king of Lanka. In the classic text, he is mainly depicted negatively, kidnapping Rama's wife Sita, to claim vengeance on Rama and his brother Lakshmana for having cut off the nose of his sister...
, Vibhishana transferred the Yaksha
Yaksha
Yaksha is the name of a broad class of nature-spirits, usually benevolent, who are caretakers of the natural treasures hidden in the earth and tree roots. They appear in Hindu, Jain and Buddhist mythology. The feminine form of the word is ' or Yakshini .In Hindu, Jain, and Buddhist mythology,...
capital from Alaka
Alaka
-In Hinduism:In Hinduism, Alaka , which is also sometimes called Alakapuri, is a mythical city. It is the home of Kubera, the king of Yakshas and the lord of wealth, and his attendants called yakshas. The Mahabharata mentions this city as the capital of the Yaksha Kingdom...
mandawa to Kelaniya. Vibhishana continues to be worshipped by a diminishing number of adherents, mainly in the Kelaniya area.
It was destroyed by the Portuguese
Portuguese people
The Portuguese are a nation and ethnic group native to the country of Portugal, in the west of the Iberian peninsula of south-west Europe. Their language is Portuguese, and Roman Catholicism is the predominant religion....
and then rebuilt under King Rajasinha in the 1800's
Of late the Kelaniya Raja Maha Vihara
Kelaniya Raja Maha Vihara
The Kelaniya Raja Maha Vihara or Kelaniya Temple is a Buddhist temple in Kelaniya, Sri Lanka, seven miles from Colombo. The Chief Incumbent is Kollupitiye Mahinda Sangharakkhitha Thera....
has become famous because of the beautiful paintings and sculpture by Solias Mendis
Solias Mendis
Walimuni Solias Mendis was a renowned Sri Lankan artist primarily known for his template paintings, accomplished in a neo-classical style....
depicting various events in the history of Sri Lanka
History of Sri Lanka
The History of Sri Lanka begins around 30,000 years ago when the island was first inhabited. Chronicles, including the Mahawansa, the Dipavamsa, the Culavamsa and the Rajaveliya, record events from the beginnings of the Sinhalese monarchy in the 6th century BC; through the arrival of European...
. 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.
Transport
The A1 highwayA 1 highway (Sri Lanka)
The A 1 road is an A-Grade trunk road in Sri Lanka. It connects the capital city of Colombo with Kandy.- History :...
connecting Colombo with Kandy runs along the town. The Kelaniya Railway Station is located close to the Colombo Kandy Road and provides rail connections
Rail transport in Sri Lanka
Rail Transport in Sri Lanka consists of a heavy-rail intercity network connecting major population centres and commuter rail serving Colombo commuter traffic. State-run Sri Lanka Railways, originally known as Ceylon Government Railways, is the nation's railway owner and primary operator. The...
with the rest of the country.
Education
The University of KelaniyaUniversity of Kelaniya
The University of Kelaniya is a state university of Sri Lanka. Situated just outside the municipal limits of Colombo, in the ancient and historic city of Kelaniya, the University has two major campuses, seven locations, six faculties and four institutions....
is situated at Kelaniya near the Colombo
Colombo
Colombo is the largest city of Sri Lanka. It is located on the west coast of the island and adjacent to Sri Jayawardenapura Kotte, the capital of Sri Lanka. Colombo is often referred to as the capital of the country, since Sri Jayawardenapura Kotte is a satellite city of Colombo...
-Kandy
Kandy
Kandy is a city in the center of Sri Lanka. It was the last capital of the ancient kings' era of Sri Lanka. The city lies in the midst of hills in the Kandy plateau, which crosses an area of tropical plantations, mainly tea. Kandy is one of the most scenic cities in Sri Lanka; it is both an...
Road.
Also there is one of the popular School in island which was named as Sri Dharmaloka College
Sri Dharmaloka College
Sri Dharmaloka College is one of the well-established prominent national schools in the Western province of Sri Lanka, situated near the Kelaniya Temple. The school opened in the 1938s on the premises of Vidyalankara Pirivena. In the 1950s, the college moved to its current location on the Kelaniya...
.