The Kande Vihara is a well-known Buddhist temple in the Kalutara District. It is found in Aluthgama – Kaluwamodara in the Beruwala Divisional Secretariat Division.
The temple has got its name ‘Kande Vihara’ (mountain temple) as it is built atop a hill near the Aluthgama town. The temple has been recognised by the Government as an archaeological site.
The temple was built by Karapagoda Devamitta Thera in 1734 during the Dutch period. During that period churches and temples were constructed in the Southern coastal area. The Thorana in front of the Devalaya had been constructed according to Dutch tradition. But the work was completed during the English period. That is why the Thorana depicts a lion and a unicorn
According to Batuwanhene Buddharakkitha Thera, Chief incumbent of the temple this is the only temple in Sri Lanka where ‘Kiri pidu’ (alms) is offered daily throughout the year. The temple was renovated and developed from time to time under state patronage that led the temple to becoming a major Buddhist shrine in Sri Lanka.
In 1964, a Pirivena was set up at the temple due to the efforts made by Rev. Hikkaduwe Sri Sumangala Thera.
The image house, stupa and the sacred Bodhi tree with its enclosing and octagonal shaped wall are considered as very old monuments of the temple.
Gigantic Buddha statue
The Bodhi tree is believed to be more than 300- years-old. The large stupa of the temple which was erected in 1935 has been constructed enclosing a smaller stupa. It was constructed by Ven. Udugama Chandrasara Thera in 1783. In 2002, a foundation stone for a gigantic Buddha statue depicting the Boomisparsha Mudra was laid in the temple premises and the completed statue was opened to the public in 2007 making the temple more popular among local devotees as well as foreign tourists. The statue is 160 feet in height and considered one of the tallest sitting Buddha statues in the world.
The temple comprises the stupa, Bodhi tree, relic chamber, image house, Upulvan Devalaya and the other main Devalayas including Kataragama Vishnu and Pattini Devalayas. According to the Chief Incumbent, a large number of devotees visit these devalayas almost every day to make poojas and make vows to the Gods seeking blessings.
A three – storeyed vishramashala (resting hall) has been constructed for the use of devotees who come from long distances for religious activities.
The Bodhi tree, preaching hall and the Seemamalakaya are inside the Vihara premises. The relic Chamber of the temple is believed to be the oldest building in the temple premises. At the entrance of the Chamber is sculptured with a stone moonstone and a door frame. The inner walls and the ceiling of the Chamber is adorned with Kandyan era frescoes belonging to the latter part of the Kandyan period.
Image house
The image house of the temple consists of an inner chamber and an outer chamber. The entrance to the image house is a majestic- looking Thorana with three torch shaped entrances. Inside the inner chamber three Buddha images, in the standing, sitting and sleeping positions can be seen. The walls and ceilings of both chambers are decorated with Jathaka stories, moments of the Buddha’s journey of life and various types of other murals.
There is a museum too in the temple premises. In the museum we can see photographs of ancient temples in Sri Lanka, old furniture used by bhikkhus, local and foreign old coins, old title deeds and other valuable documents
According to the Chief Incumbent, this temple has become famous even in foreign countries as a great cultural centre.
