Kande Viharaya, Aluthgama

Kande Viharaya/ Mountain temple is one of the major Buddhist temples in Aluthgama, Kalutara district. The temple has got its name Kande Viharaya as it is built on top of a hill. 

To reach Kande Viharaya, either you need to drive about 75km on A2 road towards Galle from Colombo or need to exit from E1 Welipenna inter-exchange of Southern Express Way and enter Aluthgama. Then drive 1km towards Colombo and turn from Kaluwamodara junction. Kande Viharaya is there on the top of the hill in a beautiful environment when you drive another 800m on Kaalawila road. 

The temple was built during the reign of  king Rajadhi Rajasinghe of the kingdom of Kandy in 1890. The first chief incumbent of the temple was Ven. Udugama Chandasara thero. 

This temple regularly conducts Buddha pooja, Deva pooja, Annual Milkrice pooja and Muruthan pooja etc with the participation of a huge crowd of devotees. 

The wall paintings inside the ancient relic home shows a direct relationship to the paintings of the kingdom of Kandy and there the relics are stored safely in the silver casket. The bo tree aged more than 300 years has also protected by a protective fence or "Bodhighara". 

Recently built Samadhi Buddha statue of about 107 cubits has added an iconic feature to Aluthgama Kande Viharaya. This buddha statue has sculpted enhancing Buddha's loving kindness and compassion to the world. Local and foreign tourists can walk inside the underground viharaya which is built under this Buddha's statue. The elegant wall paintings that depict Jathaka stories beautify the shrine room. 

Not only the Bodhi, Stupa and the Shrine room but also Devala of God Vishnu, Kataragama, Patthini etc are the other important places of worship in Aluthgama Kande Viharaya.

The old museum also consists of many valuable, historical assets that local and foreign tourists can leisurely observe free of charge. 

The tame elephant in the temple is another lovely sight for people. Feeding him with breakfast in the morning by a samanera monk is an adorable sight to be witnessed. 

📷 LifeSriLanka, wikipedia, pinterest