Asokaramaya Viharaya

The Story of its Establishment

The Asokaramaya Viharaya may not have the same history as the Kalutara Bodhiya, but still has an interesting story, which makes it one of the more significant temples in the city.  Located in Kalutara, the Asokaramaya Viharaya is a popular sacred temple, since the late 1800s when the Buddhist monk, Aluthgama Sangharatne settled in a small hermitage near Kalutara. The monks were so compelling that many devotees offered to construct a special place for him to give sermons, of which the current Asokaramaya Viharaya was the end result. Until today, most of the features in the temple date back to its original construction in the late 19th century.

Why You Should Visit

There are many features of interest in the place of worship that are worthy of visiting. The Katti-paha, which is the original place in which the monk gave his sermon still stands. Moreover, the eventual expansion of the temple resulted in the construction of the Dharma Salava, in order to create a more comfortable environment for devotees and the monk. The current temple still acts as a hermitage for the disciples of the late monk, where many still preach his way of life to the many people that come to seek a prosperous life. The atmosphere is quite different from what you would experience in the Kalutara Bodhiya.