Question 1

What is the dress code for Gangaramaya Temple?

Accepted Answer

The dress code for the temple is as follows: 
You should not wear anything that is above the knees or shows off your arms or shoulders. Generally, it is recommended to dress conservatively. Do not wear sleeveless tops, skirts, or shorts. You do not have to dress in traditional or ethnic clothes, but it is expected for both men and women to be covered appropriately. A jeans and t-shirt should be fine for both men and women.

Question 2

Who is this temple dedicated to?

Accepted Answer

The temple is dedicated to Lord Buddha and features the Bodhiya where he gained enlightenment. It has quite a special place in the hearts of the devotees of the religion, and is considered a sacred place by the locals.

Question 3

What is the architecture of Gangaramaya Temple?

Accepted Answer

Gangaramaya Temple features architectural elements from several Southeast Asian cultures, along with Buddhist elements. Indeed, it is a fine example of the amalgamation of the architectures of several Asian countries, like India, China and Thailand. One part of the temple is also based on elements inspired from a temple in Central Java, Indonesia. 
Thus, it can be said that the Gangaramaya Temple displays a mixture of Buddhism and Asian cultural elements in its architecture.

Question 4

How many hours should we plan for Gangaramaya Temple?

Accepted Answer

The entire tour of only the temple building will take around 45 minutes. However, there are several other buildings in the temple, including the museum, the Bodhiya, the Relic Center etc, which are simply unmissable. To enjoy the beauty of all these places, and cover all the different sections of the temple, you will need at least two to three hours. If you go during peak tourist season, it can take even longer as there may be queues to enter various buildings and sections.

Question 5

Is the Ganga Elephant still present there?

Accepted Answer

Yes, Ganga Elephant is still present at Gangaramaya Temple.

Question 6

What is Gangaramaya Temple Vesak?

Accepted Answer

The Gangaramaya Temple is brightly lit during the annual festival of the Buddhists which is held every year in Vesak in Colombo. The festival is celebrated to commemorate the birth of Buddha, as well celebrate his enlightenment and passing on a full moon day in the month of May. The annual festival was set up by Venerable Hikkaduwe Sri Sumangala Nayaka Thera in 1885. The festival was established in order to reunite the people of Sri Lanka and affect a Buddhist resurgence in the country, at a time when the people were suffering immensely under the colonial rule. 
Nowadays, the festival is celebrated with great pomp and show at the temple and is a delight to witness for every tourist and local.