Introduction
A temple in the lake
On three island podiums on Beira Lake, Colombo easily visible from Sir James Peiris
Road, is the Seema Malaka, a Buddhist temple, a beautiful & unexpected site. Amidst
the hustle & bustle of the city, the tranquil temple takes us by surprise. Not to
be outdone, we take to the bridge like walkway leading to the temple in the middle
of the lake with the breeze cutting into us. Set on three linked platforms rising
out of the lake, the temple has a small Bo tree & delicately carved kiosk on the
two outer platforms standing on either side of the larger central structure. The
lake is surrounded by fine old trees, provides welcoming breezes throughout the
day & attracts pelicans, egrets & cormorants
The inspired design
Whereas most Buddhist temples in the country follow strict traditional design, Gangaramaya
temples floating on the middle of Beira Lake, is one of Sri Lanka's unusual temples.
The design is inspired by the ancient forest monasteries such as those of Anuradhapura
and Ritigala, which feature similar raised platforms linked by walkways. Then again
the temple building is in the Kandyan style: with overhanging blue tiled roofs held
up by walls apparently made from collected spindles & banisters. The temple designed
by Geoffrey Bawa, one of Asia's foremost architects, with its peaceful elegance
is a world away from the bustling capital, Colombo. It is intended for meditation
& inaugurations of Buddhist Bhikkus..
The original
After the original 19th century version slowly sunk into the water, Geoffrey Bawa
was commissioned to redesign it in 1979.
Gangaramaya temple
The Seema Malake is part of an ever-expanding complex of lavishly decorated Gangaramaya
temple, a couple of hundred meters to the east. Gangaramaya sits behind an unusually
elaborate perimeter wall faced with polished brass panels decorated with dwarfs
(symbols of prosperity) & topped with Buddha statues. The complex has a library,
a museum & extraordinarily eclectic array of bejeweled & gilt gifts presented by
devotees & well-wishers over the years.
Courtyard
To one side of the courtyard, a sacred old Bo tree grows out of a raised platform
draped in prayer flags. Next to it sits a richly decorated Kandyan-style wooden
pavilion. Just behind the main courtyard is a tier of stacked-up Buddha statues
from Thailand. Close by is the temple's most surprising feature; a fine selection
of vintage cars, presented by well-wishers over the years
The principal image house
Across the courtyard lies the principal image house, its base supported by dwarfs
in quasi-yogic positions. Inside, the entire building is occupied by an eye-popping
tableau vivant, centered on a large Buddha statue sitting majestically in the meditation
posture, flanked by elephant tusks & surrounded by dozens of other larger-than-life
Buddha statues.
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