What is the Siri Gautama Sambuddharaja Maligawa

The Siri Gautama Sambuddharaja Maligawa (Grand Temple of Gautama Buddha) is one of the most beautiful Buddhist temples in Sri Lanka. This magnificent temple was completed in 2012 to honor Gautama Buddha and to commemorate the 2600th anniversary of his enlightenment. The temple was built with the meritorious intentions and guidance of most venerable Kiribathgoda Gnanananda Thero, the founder of the Mahamevnawa Monastery. The statues, paintings, carvings and all other art works in the temple are original creations of highly skilled Sri Lankan artists, made exclusively for the Sambuddharaja Maligawa. As well, thousands of devotees connected to Mahamevnawa monasteries in Sri Lanka and abroad had extended their full financial and volunteer support. With the laying of the foundation stone, the construction work of the grand temple was started on 6th February 2011 and was completed within one year and five months. On 2nd July 2012 the temple was offered to Gautama Buddha during a grand opening ceremony and has been made accessible to the public since then.

Main Buddha Statue

This is the main Buddha statue in the Sambuddharaja Maligawa. It contain the relics of Gautama Buddha, and is one of the most majestic Buddha Statues in Sri Lanka. The unparalleled beauty of the statue is such that no matter how long you gaze at the statue, you still want to look more. The statue represents that great moment when Gautama Buddha becomes enlightened defeating Mara, the evil one, along with his army while the Buddha was sitting at the Neranjara river under the Great Bodhi Tree in India. When you look at the statue you can see that the Buddha is looking at you with eyes full of great compassion and love.

FACTS AND FIGURES

The main relic chamber on the second floor of the Sambuddharaja Maligawa.
  • Main guidance and design given by Most Ven. Kiribathgoda Gnanananda Thero
  • Ground breaking ceremony was held on 6th February 2011
  • Opened on 2nd July 2012
  • More than 800,000 volunteer hours went into making the temple
  • Thousands of volunteers participated in the construction
  • Statues of the important events in the Buddha’s life such as the birth, enlightenment, first Dhamma sermon and passing away.
  • Countless beautiful paintings, statues, and carvings
  • A reliquary containing the relics of the Supreme Buddha and great Arahants are placed in the Fragrant Chamber on the top floor