The staff here are quite restrict about enforcing the dress code and no shoe policy here. From the parking lot, we were approached by 3 different men telling us to remove our shoes. At this time it was about 12:30 p.m. and ground was quite hot. I quickly took pictures of the exteriors of the temples and its gate, fancy/artistic carvings there. We thanked the staff and decided to visit it again in the early morning to ensure that our bare feet don’t get burned.

The temple is praised for its elaborate architecture, including a stunning main entrance and intricate carvings. Some reviewers mention its significance as a Buddhist pilgrimage site, believed to have been visited by the Buddha himself. Many visitors find the temple serene and calming, a great place for prayer and reflection. The large reclining Buddha statue is a popular attraction, along with the dagoba (stupa) and the sacred bo tree. There's also a museum on the premises. As with any religious site in Sri Lanka, it's respectful to cover your shoulders and knees. Maintain silence while devotees are praying, and be mindful of your actions while exploring the temple grounds. If you want to avoid crowds, consider going on a weekday or earlier in the day. Be aware that some ceremonies might limit access to certain areas. Overall, Kelaniya Temple seems to be a popular destination for both pilgrims and tourists, offering a beautiful space for cultural immersion and spiritual reflection.

Kelaniya temple is also known as the Vibhishan temple. This is a buddhist temple, and it is believed that Gautam buddha visited the place on his third and final visit to Sri Lanka. On the back of the temple wall, there is a carving of Vibhishana being crowned by Lakshmana Ji. Nice place to visit.

From where I got off my cab, I climbed a flight of stairs to come to the lower terrace. I climbed another short series of steps to come to the upper terrace with the main temple right in front of me, a stupa on my right and a Bodhi tree on my left. I found the main temple of the Kelaniya Raja Maha Vihara to be impressive. The wall paintings illustrate the Jataka tales, stimulating compassion. Stepping out, I walked to the stupa and further to a guardian statue. Then I turned back and walked to the Bodhi Tree. I watched devotees offer lotus flowers and bowls of what I thought was water to the Bo Tree. The Kelaniya Raja Maha Vihara is quite large, and I would have loved to see more of it had it not been for the rain. This was the only place where, when I donated, a prayer was said for my family & my wellbeing.