Seema Malaka caught my eye from the very first moment that I was browsing through the internet for things to do in Sri Lanka. There is something about the scene of the temple surrounded by water that promptly caught my attention.
Needless to say, it quickly went to the top of my list. The little temple Buddhist temple is situated on a lake and is a part of the larger Gangaramayan temple that is nearby. I however will get to that in just a bit. For the moment let us focus on Seema Malaka shall we?
For those of you who haven’t been to Sri Lanka yet, you will be surprised. The country is full of Buddhist temples both big and small. The Seema Malaka was the first temple that we visited and we soon lost count after that!
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Location And Entrance Fees Of Seema Malaka
Seema Malaka is located on Beira lake in Colombo 2. It is technically almost in the heart of the city and the area really bustles. We visited it on a Sunday morning and while the city was awake and jostling, Seema Malaka seemed to retain its peaceful vibe.
The entrance fee to Seema Malaka is 300 LKR per person. At first, we did not realize that the fair also includes entrance into the Gangaramayan temple which is just a couple of meters away. Luckily one of the guardians of the temple pointed it out.
If you are visiting the temple, be sure to spare sometime to visit its counterpart too. The Gangaramayan temple is gorgeous and is definitely time well spent.
Seema Malaka
A glimpse of Seema Malaka from the other side of the Beira lake.
We approached the temple on foot and found ourselves wandering towards it. Since we did not enter the temple from the main gate, we were treated with a spectacular view of Seema Malaka with the lake in the background.
The entrance to the temple has the ticket counter where the guards sit, and you have to deposit your shoes. If you are lucky, you will catch a glimpse of the ducks scouring for food around the temple. The best time to visit the Buddhist temple is in the morning or in the evening to avoid the sun.
If you do have to make it in the afternoon, make sure that you wear socks. Strange advice, right? You need to leave your shoes at the entrance since the temple is sacred. It is a sign of respect. The hot sun however heats up the cemented floor and it can make you run or dance. I’m am not joking! I speak from experience.
Etiquette To Observe Within The Temple
The etiquette to observe while visiting a Buddhist temple is pretty standard. Ensure that your shoulders and knees are covered. If you are wearing shorts make sure to carry a sarong. It is considered disrespectful if you do not obey this.
I am not sure, but I think that the guards at the gate will lend you one if you forget yours. I noticed that they did that in the Gangaramayan temple. A stand lies outside the temple where you can deposit your footwear. While it is hot, ensure that your remove your hat/cap when you enter too.
Inside Seema Malaka
A Buddha statue in Seema Malaka.
The first thing that you will notice is the bridge that takes you across to the temple. If you do a little bit of digging you will realize that these are Pontoon bridges that connect the temple to land. What is intriguing about the bridges is that they actually float. I’ve linked to an article in case you are interested in reading more about it. I found it pretty interesting.
Once you cross the bridge you walk towards the main temple. Bright and airy, the inside of the temple is peaceful and so much cooler than the outside heat. While the inner aspect of the temple is beautiful, I found the myriad of Buddha statues that circled the wooden structure fascinating.
Each statue intricately designed with a different position of Buddha’s arms. They are any instagrammer’s dream. Just be sure not to pose with your back to the Buddha statue. It is considered ill-mannered and disrespectful.
To the left of the main temple is a Stupa. I wanted to wander around it but since we arrived almost at noon my feet were burning up. Hence the intense longing for socks! The white stupa is beautiful and for those of you who haven’t seen a Buddhist stupa yet, image a giant bell-shaped structure. I’ve read that these stupas house the remains of Buddhist monks.
A Bodhi tree is also in the vicinity and is of great significance when you consider Buddhism as a whole. The Bodhi tree is said to have been as it was grown from the branch of the Jaya Shri Maha Bodhi tree in Anuradhapura. The shady cove also has another four noteworthy points. You will find shrines dedicated to Vishnu, Shiva, Ganesha and Kataragama deviyo.
One thing that I loved about Seema Malaka was the peace that reigned within the temple. While the temples does lie in the midst of a bustling city, the chaos some how stays at bay.
Fun Facts About Seema Malaka
- Did you know that the Gangaramaya Temple complex which Seema Malaka is a part off, is the largest Buddhist temple in Sri Lanka.
- The temple was built in the late 19th century. In the 1970s the original construction sank into the water.
- Seema Malaka was redesigned by Geoffrey Bawa and his inspiration was taken from the ancient forests of Anuradhapura and Ritigala.
And that’s all folks. Most people skip over Seema Malaka because they don’t realize that it is an important part of the Gangaramaya temple. That however is a rookie mistake. Make sure that you don’t make the same one.
The Seema Malaka is a pretty and quiet place that definitely should be on your itinerary.
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