Kothduwa Rajamaha Viharaya — Attraction in Southern Province

The Kothduwa temple, or Koth Duwa Raja Maha Viharaya, is a Buddhist temple located on Kothduwa Island on the Madu Ganga in southern Sri Lanka. The island is located in Galle District of the Southern Province approximately 35 km (22 mi) north of Galle and 88 km (55 mi) south of Colombo.The temple is believed to have once sheltered the sacred relic of the tooth of the Buddha, circa 340 CE. The Bodhi tree on the island was planted from a bud of the Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi by Deva Pathiraja, minister to King Parakramabahu IV. The temple and the island on which it is located both lie within the Maduganga Estuary. Kothduwa is one of 15 islands within the estuary. The biodiversity of the wetlands surrounding the temple is exceptional and 111 species of birds and 248 species of vertebrates have been recorded in the area. In 2006, the Department of Wildlife Conservation declared 2,600 hectares of the estuary a wildlife sanctuary. In 2003, 915 hectares of the Maduganga Estuary was declared a wetland of international importance under the Ramsar Convention. The estuary and the 15 islands within, including Kothduwa became Ramsar Site 1372.Access to the temple is by boat from Balapitiya, the nearest large town.The temple also operates its own boat for the purposes of running the temple, although it is sometimes used to pick up visitors. Those wishing to be collected by the temple boat should sound the horn and flash the headlights of their vehicle, from the access road on the mainland shore nearest the island.

Great Temple located at the Madu River. It is pleasure to visit this...

Kothduwa Rajamaha Viharaya is a serene and historically significant Buddhist temple situated on a small island in the middle of the Madu River. Surrounded by lush mangrove forests and the tranquil waters of the river, this temple offers a peaceful retreat for both devotees and visitors. According to legend, the temple is believed to house a sacred sapling from the original Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi tree in Anuradhapura, making it a site of great religious importance. Accessible only by boat, the journey to the temple is an experience in itself, as you glide through the scenic Madu River, observing the rich biodiversity and natural beauty of the area. The temple’s tranquil atmosphere, combined with its unique location, makes it a perfect spot for meditation and reflection. A visit to Kothduwa Rajamaha Viharaya is not only a spiritual journey but also an opportunity to connect with nature and explore the cultural heritage...

• The Kothduwa Vihare occupies a small island at the North end of the Madu Ganga lagoon and it’s accessible by the Boat from Balapitiya. • Visitors arrive at a small jetty at the foot of the grand staircase which leads up to a glistering white archway. • Though at first glance this appears to be a traditional thorana, it is in fact a strange neo-classical concoction with vague Dutch accents. • The archway opens into a walled enclosure where there is a large Bodhi tree, a roofed dagaba & a recently constructed Buddha statue, a combined preaching hall & an image house. • One the far side of the preaching hall a staircase leads down to the monk’s quarters, which are in cluster form around a small courtyard. • The preaching hall & the dormitory both employ half round clay tile roofs & Tuscan columns and has been built in Porto-Sinhalese manner which persisted long into the...