Hindu Temple Site

Preview of Ecclesiaofwomen's blog at TravelPod. Read the full blog here: http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/ecclesiaofwomen/1/1201000500/tpod.html This blog preview was made by TravelPod using the TripAdvisor™ TripWow slideshow creator. Entry from: Colombo, Sri Lanka Entry Title: "Kelaniya Temple" Entry: "About six miles from Colombo, the Kelani Vihara derived its sanctity in the Buddhist era 2531, with the third visit of the Buddha to this country. By the time the Portuguese conquered the country and destroyed the temple built on the spot, considerable land had been donated by the kings to the Kelaniya Vihara. In 1767 the Dutch permitted King Kirthi Sri Rajasingha's to develop Kelaniya Vihara. The existing paintings and sculptures are recent possessions, belonging to the 18th century and early 20th century. The temple is a splendid example of Buddhist architecture and art. Hindu deities carved into the rock surface. Ancient Sinhala designs, patterns and carvings, illustrating garlands of flowers, decorate the pillars. The walls are embellished with murals from the life of Lord Buddha, Buddhist legends, and history." Read and see more at: http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/ecclesiaofwomen/1/1201000500/tpod.html Photos from this trip: 1. "Bo tree and the viharage" 2. "Buddha under the Bo tree" 3. "Another Buddha" 4. "Bas Relief below a Buddha" 5. "Hindu Goddess on Niche" 6. "Close-up of the bas-relief" 7. "The Elephant God" 8. "Platform of main shrine" 9. "Close up of dwarves" 10. "Ancient Dagoba" 11. "Entrance 2" 12. "Entrance" 13. "Mural 1" 14. "Mural 3" 15. "Mural 2" 16. "Guarding the Buddha" 17. "Gold Reclining figure of the Buddha" 18. "Mural 9" 19. "Mural 4" 20. "Mural 5" 21. "Mural 6" 22. "Mural 7" 23. "Mural 8" 24. "Mural 10" See this TripWow and more at http://tripwow.tripadvisor.com/tripwow/ta-00af-983c-5d56?ytv4=1