Discover historic Kelaniya Raja Maha Vihara
Colombo, Sri Lanka • 
Must Do
Must Do
Best months to visit
Jan, Dec
25°C – 32°C, warm and relatively dry conditions, high crowds, peak season
25°C – 32°C, warm and relatively dry conditions, high crowds, peak season
Walking required
Yes
Not wheelchair accessible; walking and stairs involved.
Not wheelchair accessible; walking and stairs involved.
Value for money
High
Entry is free; donations support the temple's upkeep.
Entry is free; donations support the temple's upkeep.
Highlights we curated for you
See what similar travellers think of this activity
C
Reviews from other travelers
Summarised by AI
Serene Setting
Couples loved the peaceful atmosphere, perfect for quiet reflection and shared moments.
Cultural Delight
The murals and architecture provided a beautiful, immersive cultural experience. Highly recommended.
Easy Access
Getting there was simple with taxis or buses, making it a stress-free visit for couples.
Dress Code
Some couples found the strict dress code a bit inconvenient to adhere to on arrival.
Limited Info
Opening hours weren't clear, causing potential for disappointment if arriving late.
Photography Rules
Restrictions on photography might frustrate couples wanting to capture memories together.
How to book
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Hours of operation
Monday
6:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Tuesday
6:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Wednesday
6:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Thursday
6:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Friday
6:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Saturday
6:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Sunday
6:00 AM - 6:00 PM
In-depth experience
May contain spoilers
Watch curated videos from fellow travellers for a glimpse of what to expect.
Experience an in-depth tour of Kelaniya Raja Maha Vihara with traveler's video.
Dive into a virtual stroll around Kelaniya Raja Maha Vihara.
When to visit
We've analysed user reviews and geographical data, and identified the best and worst months to visit.
Month
Crowd Level
Weather
Availability
Our recommendation
December
HIGH
24-30°C
Warm temperatures with reduced rainfall; occasional showers possible.
Warm temperatures with reduced rainfall; occasional showers possible.
Open
Advance booking recommended due to high demand.
Advance booking recommended due to high demand.
Recommended
December offers pleasant weather with reduced rainfall; however, it's peak tourist season with higher prices and increased crowds.
December offers pleasant weather with reduced rainfall; however, it's peak tourist season with higher prices and increased crowds.
January
HIGH
25-32°C
Warm and relatively dry conditions.
Warm and relatively dry conditions.
Open
High demand may lead to limited availability; advance bookings recommended.
High demand may lead to limited availability; advance bookings recommended.
Recommended
January offers warm and dry weather, making it ideal for visiting Kelaniya Raja Maha Vihara. However, it's peak tourist season, so expect larger crowds and higher prices. The Duruthu Perahera festival in January attracts many visitors, adding to the vibrant atmosphere.
January offers warm and dry weather, making it ideal for visiting Kelaniya Raja Maha Vihara. However, it's peak tourist season, so expect larger crowds and higher prices. The Duruthu Perahera festival in January attracts many visitors, adding to the vibrant atmosphere.
February
MEDIUM
24-28°C
Warm with occasional light showers.
Warm with occasional light showers.
Open
Better availability compared to January; standard booking practices suffice.
Better availability compared to January; standard booking practices suffice.
Recommended
February provides pleasant weather with fewer crowds compared to January. It's a good time to visit Kelaniya Raja Maha Vihara, offering a more relaxed experience and slightly lower prices.
February provides pleasant weather with fewer crowds compared to January. It's a good time to visit Kelaniya Raja Maha Vihara, offering a more relaxed experience and slightly lower prices.
March
MEDIUM
24-33°C
Warm with increasing humidity and occasional showers.
Warm with increasing humidity and occasional showers.
Open
Good availability; standard booking practices suffice.
Good availability; standard booking practices suffice.
Recommended
March offers warm weather with manageable crowds, making it a favorable time to visit Kelaniya Raja Maha Vihara. Prices are generally more reasonable, and the temple is less crowded.
March offers warm weather with manageable crowds, making it a favorable time to visit Kelaniya Raja Maha Vihara. Prices are generally more reasonable, and the temple is less crowded.
How to get there
Bus
Recommended
Buses such as route number 150 provide direct service from Colombo (e.g., Gangaramaya Temple) to Kelaniya Temple, with stops near the temple.
Taxi
Recommended
Taxis and ride-hailing services like PickMe or Uber offer a direct route from Colombo to the temple.
Train
Recommended
Take a train from Colombo Fort Railway Station to Kelaniya Railway Station, followed by a short tuk-tuk ride or a 2 km walk to the temple.
Car
Drive via the A1 highway (Colombo-Kandy Road) to the temple. Parking is available near the entrance.
Walking
Walking is feasible from Kelaniya Railway Station to the temple (approx. 2-3 km).
Additional info
Here's what you need to know about this experience
Mobility
Wheelchair Accessible
Walking Required
Stairs Present
Seating Available
Flat Terrain
Hiking Required
Elevator Available
Mobility Scooter Friendly
Ramps Available
Pregnancy
Not suitable for pregnancy
Allowed during pregnancy
Pets
Pets not allowed
Driving
Driving License Required
Idp Required
Age
Ages 1-75