Wewurukannala Vihara
Wewurukannala Vihara
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
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4.0
198 reviews
Excellent
89
Very good
65
Average
21
Poor
7
Terrible
16
Null
21 contributions
Feb 2020 • Couples
Largest Buddha statue can be seen from afar.
Entry ticket costs 200 LKR, additionally you’ll be asked for donation multiple times inside.
Be ready to take your shoes off, knees and shoulders should be covered.
The place is very beautiful, wall paintings are amazing, take your time to examine everything.
There is also an elephant chained to the trees so tight that it can’t even move and just swinging all the time :(
Entry ticket costs 200 LKR, additionally you’ll be asked for donation multiple times inside.
Be ready to take your shoes off, knees and shoulders should be covered.
The place is very beautiful, wall paintings are amazing, take your time to examine everything.
There is also an elephant chained to the trees so tight that it can’t even move and just swinging all the time :(
Written February 24, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Tomáš Roud
Kutna Hora, Czech Republic229 contributions
Jan 2020 • Family
You can enter for 200Rs, what is nothing. Then you need to buy flowers for 100Rs to give them to Lord Buddha. Then you can see many of Buddha statues and pictures of situations from his life. In old temple we've received a ritual to protect all family for free. We gave them a donation for the temple. Go there with a guide. Very nice place, I recommend that.
Written February 4, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Susie H
Devon, UK228 contributions
Jan 2020 • Family
I went with my 8yr old son. I’d found a tuk tuk driver, Sunil, who didn’t rip me off and we all went.
Sunil very kindly have us the tour and it was amazing.
The frescoes are in amazing condition, the sculptures were great.
The whole story of Buddha is in front of you, the birth, the 55 lives etc.
Really interesting.
Lots of different little temples with further more intricate artwork.
Climbing up with big Buddha was fun. Each floor had more frescoes.
The breeze from the top was very welcomed as we went at midday - big error!
Only points I’d give would be:
Women take a sarong to cover your legs
Take small not rupees to donate at the little temples.
Give the ladies who seek flowers some money and make your offering.
Don’t go at midday as you have to take you flip flops off and the ground is burning!
Sunil very kindly have us the tour and it was amazing.
The frescoes are in amazing condition, the sculptures were great.
The whole story of Buddha is in front of you, the birth, the 55 lives etc.
Really interesting.
Lots of different little temples with further more intricate artwork.
Climbing up with big Buddha was fun. Each floor had more frescoes.
The breeze from the top was very welcomed as we went at midday - big error!
Only points I’d give would be:
Women take a sarong to cover your legs
Take small not rupees to donate at the little temples.
Give the ladies who seek flowers some money and make your offering.
Don’t go at midday as you have to take you flip flops off and the ground is burning!
Written January 15, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Danny
7 contributions
Jan 2023 • Couples
They keep a poor bull ELEPHANT CHAINED UP in the hot sun, the man keeping it was whipping the elephants back legs with a chain to make it move and the elephant was very obviously unhappy. Even when the elephant tried to get some water to cool himself off the keeper hit the elephant with a Stick to stop him taking the water, awful to see. I asked the men why they did this but they didn’t seem to speak English. The temple was nice, but I would urge you not to go and support this ill treatment of animals
Written January 27, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Oliver123
Brighton, UK132 contributions
Mar 2020 • Couples
We were taken to visit the temple with our hotel driver who showed us around. It was interesting and the big buddha is very impressive. We had a blessing & offered a small donation. We were told about the 'elephant temple' which I assumed was a building, not an actual live elephant living in horrendous conditions. They were burning palm leaves about a foot from him and the smoke must've been in his eyes, causing even more distress. It was horrendous to see this beautiful creature chained on all legs, swaying back & forth. I was told he doesn't walk around, ever, unless there's a festival and he is 20 YEARS OLD. I will try to report this abuse but please be aware of what you are participating in, I wish I had done more research. There was also a dog with the worst mange I have ever seen, the monks do not care for these animals at all.
Written March 10, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Rowan Pradeep
Hanwella, Sri Lanka5 contributions
Apr 2022 • Family
This temple very famous as it is unique design with others. Climb to the top of the huge Buddha statue. The out side view is very beautiful after going to top. Can see Ancient temple with beautiful carvings
Written May 22, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
DexHerrmann
Puerto Morelos, Mexico71 contributions
Jan 2023
A nice walk to the temple, not to be missed. Very impressive buddhist temple. I love a huge room with a siiting and a laing Buddha. There is also a very impressive corridor with images about lessons in life. There is also a smaller Hindu room. I loved visiting Wewurukannala Vihara
Written January 20, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
tommymacaus
Melbourne, Australia157 contributions
Jan 2018 • Couples
We visited the temple on Poya day and were excited to explore the site among worshippers on a holy day.
However, our visit was ruined when we saw an elephant chained up (both front and back), rocking back and forth in obvious distress, standing in its own excrement on a concrete slab not much larger than the size of a large car.
It is absolutely unconscionable to keep a large animal in such deplorable conditions. Unfortunately we were not aware of the situation and had already paid an entry fee (200 LKR per person).
Please reconsider visiting this temple and contributing to this horrible, archaic practice. TripAdvisor should remove this listing.
However, our visit was ruined when we saw an elephant chained up (both front and back), rocking back and forth in obvious distress, standing in its own excrement on a concrete slab not much larger than the size of a large car.
It is absolutely unconscionable to keep a large animal in such deplorable conditions. Unfortunately we were not aware of the situation and had already paid an entry fee (200 LKR per person).
Please reconsider visiting this temple and contributing to this horrible, archaic practice. TripAdvisor should remove this listing.
Written January 4, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
goozey
Goa, India529 contributions
Mar 2019 • Couples
Do not visit or support this temple. Yes, the Buddha is nice - but what isn't ... is the temple elephant chained up in the back of the temple. Chained front to back .. this poor creature cannot move 1 foot in any direction. It is chained into a permanent stance for the rest of its life ... just stuck there on a concrete pad in obvious distress. Please do not visit this temple and support this cruelty.
Written March 11, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Connector751285
2 contributions
Jan 2018
Do not go, unless you want to fund animal cruelty. There is an elephant chained and it can’t move and it is seemingly stressed and in agony. The visit made me sad.
Written April 19, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Brjn
Trollhättan10 contributions
Hi!
Have you released the elephant in freedom and ended with the animal cruelty?
Ajmal yakoob
Sri Lanka1 contribution
Hi do we have to pay if we going explore the temple?
ColomboLily
Sri Lanka46 contributions
Hello - Sri Lankans and their spouses do not have to pay. Foreigners pay 200 rupees each. However, a "guide" will take you through the temple and explain the details - not overbearing at all and worth a tip which seems to go into the main donation box. A great place and well worth a few hundred rupees.
Wewurukannala Vihara (Dikwella) - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go
Frequently Asked Questions about Wewurukannala Vihara
- We recommend booking Wewurukannala Vihara tours ahead of time to secure your spot. If you book with Tripadvisor, you can cancel up to 24 hours before your tour starts for a full refund. See all 5 Wewurukannala Vihara tours on Tripadvisor
- According to Tripadvisor travelers, these are the best ways to experience Wewurukannala Vihara:
- Tangalle Sightseeing Tour (From $40.00)
- Galle sightseeing tour (From $70.00)
- Wild Wonders and Hidden Temples from Galle (2 Days) (From $110.00)
- Paradise Blow Hole, Big Buddha, Rock Temple Tours (From $6.50)
- Sri Lanka Private Koggala Lake and Temple Tour (From $146.00)
- Hotels near Wewurukannala Vihara:
- (1.07 mi) Salt House
- (1.13 mi) Dots Bay House
- (1.53 mi) Dickwella Resort & Spa
- (1.13 mi) The Salty Pelican Surf & Yoga Retreat
- (0.46 mi) Mount House Hotel
- Restaurants near Wewurukannala Vihara:
- (0.90 mi) Garlic Cafe
- (0.94 mi) Hiriketiya Seafood Restaurant
- (0.46 mi) Remedy Restaurant & Boutique
- (1.12 mi) Dots Bay House
- (1.15 mi) Blue Bay Chillout Lounge