This is a temple in central Colombo. The day I was there the monks were making lanterns for the celebration of the Buddha's birthday and there was a wedding, the guests were happy to let me take pictures of them in their finery. The chambers and many statues and murals are delightful. I wouldn't say it is a tourist trap... More

Only got as far as the chained up elephant in the courtyard. Very disturbing to see it so distressed. Look like a tourist trap so we quickly moved on.

Commercial? Eh...not really. Disturbingly chained up baby elephant...incidentally because the old one died of diseases purportedly due to inactivity...mmmmmyeah. It is a strange mish-mash of Buddhist imagery (generic south, southeast and northeast Asian) and "relics" from many different cultures slapped to together in a somewhat distasteful and haphazard melange in an equally joined but disjointed collection of small buildings and... More

It's disappointing that this place has become a tourist trap. Came here many years ago while it was still a place of worship and peace. Now, they expect donation, which I believe should be on voluntary basis rather than forced upon, and touts coming over to take you on a "tour" which then ask you for money later. So sad....

my first time to visit temple in the city, before you entrance there, please donate! this i totally understand! when you go in the left side, it is a small kind of museum there, have different buddha there, an old guy came to me and gave me explanation which is so nice, i mean then you know better, but after... More

Not only is this temple in the centre of Colombo worth visiting for the culture, as it is walking distance from most five star hotels, but you can come face to face with a real live elephant, which is really thrilling for the kids!

Nice place and worth visiting. A Buddhist temple with Lord Buddha meditational pose. A history of Elephant was really interesting with a true looking Elephant statutes. Please be prepared to pay Entrance Fee, if you are a foreigner. Local enters free including the foreigners with residential visa (need to show).

I loved the Buddhist sculptures and the temple's museum. I wept for the elephant chained up in the yard. I had always thought that Buddhists venerated animals so this was a shock.

Enjoyed it here but the chained up elephant was upsetting. Despite this, it's an enjoyable place to visit