| Bellanwila Rajamaha Viharaya | |
|---|---|
බෙල්ලන්විල රජ මහා විහාරය | |
 Bellanwila Rajamaha Viharaya | |
| Religion | |
| Affiliation | Buddhism |
| Leadership | Ven. Dr. Bellanwila Dhammaratana Nayaka Thera (Chief) |
| Location | |
| Country | Sri Lanka |
| Geographic coordinates | 6°50′44″N 79°53′24″E / 6.84556°N 79.89000°E |
| Architecture | |
| Founder | Thengodagedara Thera Bellanwila Somaratana Thera |
| Completed | Rediscovered in 1850 {According to the ancient texts, the bodhi tree (sacred fig) dates back to Anuradhapura period.[1]} |
| Website | |
| http://www.bellanwila.org/en/ | |
Bellanwila Rajamaha Viharaya is a Buddhist temple situated in Bellanwila, Colombo District, Sri Lanka.[2] Located around 12 km south to the Colombo city, near Dehiwala - Maharagama road, the temple attracts hundreds of devotees daily and is famous for its annual Esala Perehera festival which usually takes place in the month of August or September. One of the most venerated Buddhist temples in Sri Lanka, many devotees flock to worship the sacred Bo tree of Bellanwila Rajamaha Vihara, which is considered to be one of the first offshoots of Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi in Anuradhapura, Sri Lanka.[3] The present chief incumbent of Bellanwila Rajamaha Vihara is Ven. Dr. Bellanwila Dhammaratana Nayaka Thera.[4]
- ^ "Bellanwila Rajamaha Viharaya". srilankaheritages.com. Archived from the original on 2015-04-02. Retrieved 2015-03-02.
- ^ Bon, George D. (1992). The Buddhist Revival in Sri Lanka. Motilal Banarsidass Publ. ISBN 9788120810471.
- ^ "The grand spectacle". Daily News. Retrieved 9 September 2014.
- ^ Epasinghe, Premasara. "Bellanwila Esala perahera in full swing". Sunday Observer. Archived from the original on 11 September 2014. Retrieved 9 September 2014.