The Historic Bellanwila Temple 🙏


I live in Boralasgamuwa, a vibrant suburb located in the Colombo District of Sri Lanka. Situated about 14 kilometers from Colombo along the Colombo-Horana road, this town holds a fascinating place in our island's history. Local elders proudly recall that during the Kotte Kingdom era, this was the training and gathering ground for royal troops before they headed into battle. The original name "Bala-ras-gamuwa" (the village where forces gathered) eventually evolved into the name we use today, Boralasgamuwa.



When discussing the historical landmarks in and around my hometown, the Bellanwila Rajamaha Viharaya undoubtedly takes center stage.

A Sacred Link to the Ancient Past

The heritage of the Bellanwila Temple traces back to the reign of King Devanampiyatissa in Anuradhapura. According to the ancient chronicle Sinhala Bodhivamsa, the sacred Bodhi tree at Bellanwila is one of the Dethis Phala Ruha Bodhi (the 32 saplings that originated from the sacred Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi). This gives the temple an immense spiritual and historical significance that spans over two millennia.



Artistic Splendor and Cultural Heritage

Apart from its deep religious roots, the temple is a treasure trove of art. The shrine room features breathtaking murals that stand as a prime example of the "Colombo Era" style of temple art. These masterpieces were brought to life by the renowned artist Somabandu Vidyapathi, blending traditional motifs with a unique modern aesthetic.



The Majestic Bellanwila Esala Perahera

Mentioning Bellanwila without bringing up its annual Esala Perahera (cultural pageant) is impossible. Started around 1950, this spectacular festival has been held continuously every year. It is a grand celebration where one can witness all three major traditional Sri Lankan dance forms—Up Country (Kandyan), Low Country, and Sabaragamuwa dancing—performed by exceptionally skilled artists.

I love visiting the Bellanwila temple frequently. Stepping onto its sacred grounds always brings a profound sense of peace and tranquility to my mind. I feel incredibly proud and blessed to live in an area enriched by such a magnificent and historic sanctuary.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

My Teacher and My Favorite Artist in the Field of Dance 🙏💓

Image
My drumming instructor is Prasanna Rupathilaka , an accomplished traditional dancer and musician. He is the second child of Guru Daniel, a highly skilled dancer and ritual practitioner (Aduru) from Pannipitiya. A master of both Up-Country (Kandyan) and Low-Country dance traditions, my teacher inherited his foundational skills through his family lineage. Furthermore, he honed his expertise in Kandyan dance and drumming under the guidance of Dr. Piyasara Shilpadhipathi. He also mastered Low-Country drumming and Madu Shanthikarma (healing rituals) under the tutelage of Guru Hokandara Sandoris Jayantha, a distinguished percussionist from the Raigam Korale. Representing prestigious troupes such as the Sama Foundation and the State Dance Ensemble, Guru Prasanna Rupathilaka has had the honor of bringing glory to Sri Lanka across numerous countries worldwide. Currently, he serves as a Lecturer at the University of Sri Jayewardenepura and as the Director of the Prasanna Roo Rangayathanaya, wher...
Read more

The Maestro Who Sparked My Passion for the Arts 🙏

Image
If I say that the artist who first ignited my passion for this field was also the very first artist I ever met, I wouldn’t be wrong at all. That person is none other than Tabla Vadya Visharada Kolitha Perera. I first met "Kolitha Aiya" (brother) during the days I used to visit Sandhya Miss’s home. To this day, he remains the most humble and immensely talented artist I have ever encountered. Kolitha Aiya is a proud student of Master Prasanna Rupathilaka. Throughout my artistic journey, he has always been the senior artist holding my hand and guiding me forward. Although he is a master (Visharada) of the Tabla, he has also profoundly mastered our traditional Sri Lankan instruments, rendering an invaluable service to the world of percussion. The Master of Sabaragamuwa Davul https://youtube.com/shorts/VuSnj_ZZkBU?si=Vp626PqvC3Qf4CFJ In the arts community, Kolitha Aiya is most renowned for his exceptional Davul playing—specifically the traditional Sabaragamuwa Davul. As a highly s...
Read more

An Unforgettable Journey: My Best School Trip Ever 💗!

Image
This was a trip that I will cherish for the rest of my life. It happened back when we were doing our Advanced Levels, organized by the Arts Section of Thurstan College. To look after us and guide us with love, our Head of the Arts Department, our class teachers, and another teacher joined the trip. We visited several amazing places during this journey. Our very first stop was the historic Sabaragamuwa Maha Saman Devalaya. After seeking blessings there, we didn’t forget to visit the famous Ahalepola Walawwa as well. One of the most important and inspiring highlights of our trip was getting the chance to visit the Sabaragamuwa University of Sri Lanka. Seeing it in person only made my dream of entering a university even stronger! Afterwards, we headed to our night stop at the Highlanders Holiday Complex, which is managed by the Sri Lanka Army. That night was filled with pure joy—we sang songs, laughed, and had the best time before finally going to sleep. The next morning, we set off towar...
Read more