Colombo: A Cultural Cornucopia
Colombo, the executive and judicial capital city of Sri Lanka, is not just the island nation’s most populous city, it is also exemplary for its religious diversity and tolerance. Buddhists form a majority here but Muslims, Christians and Hindus also call Colombo their home. There are many unique monuments that are a must-see both for their spiritual histories and architectural achievements. On a recent trip to Colombo, I checked into Cinnamon Grand located in the heart of the city and took a guided cultural tour, led by their Cinnamon Ranger, of Colombo’s iconic places of worship.
Here are four places I visited that are not just must-see sights, they also made me appreciate how easy it is to live in harmony.
Red Mosque
Located in the bustling Pettah area, the Jami Ul-Alfar Masjid, popularly called the Red Mosque, is an architectural delight. Towering over the shops in the busy lane, the sight of the mosque is mesmerizing thanks to its bright red and white patterned hues visible from a distance. Built in the Indo-Saracenic style in 1909, the Red Mosque’s domes are shaped more like pomegranates rather than the typical onion domes of mosques. The minarets are reminiscent of Persian architecture that makes this an unusual design for a mosque. Women are allowed inside the mosque but need to cover their heads and shoulders. I took a guided tour, organized by the mosque’s administration, which begins at the visitor’s gate. Avoid visiting on Fridays; it can get very crowded.
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Gangaramaya Vihara Temple
Built in the late 19th century, the Gangaramaya Vihara Temple is a Buddhist temple and a museum. Apart from a taxidermied elephant and crocodile, there are hordes of elephant ivory, porcelain, Chinese statues, watches, cameras, photographs, coins, shells, swords, and items that were gifted to the temple. Located near the Beira Lake, the temple blends the architectural styles of Sri Lanka, Thailand, India, and China. A walk around the temple revealed a Vihara (temple), Pagada, Bodhi tree (whose roots are from a temple in Anuradhapura), an assembly hall for monks and a relic chamber. The temple is also a center for learning for all things Buddhism. It is famous for housing what is believed to be a lock of the Buddha’s hair.
St. Anthony’s Church
St. Anthony’s shrine, a cream-hued Roman Catholic Church, is a minor basilica dedicated to Saint Anthony of Padua, the patron saint of travelers, fishermen and sailors. Following the deadly bombing on Easter in April 2019, photography had been banned inside the church. Believed to be a miraculous shrine, this place is thronged by non-Christians as well. Originally built in 1828, the relics of St. Anthony is within the church. The enlarged church was consecrated in 1940. Reliefs on the walls that show the life story of St. Anthony’s life are not to be missed. It is believed that young girls are protected by the saint, so mothers and their young daughters throng the church to seek his blessings.
Shri Ponnambalawaneswaram Kovil
A fine example of Dravidian architecture, the Shri Ponnambalawaneswaram Kovil was built in 1857 by Ponnambalam Mudaliyar of the royal family of Jaffna. His son Ponnnambalam Ramanathan demolished the old brick and mortar structure and rebuilt the exquisite temple with granite in accordance with ancient Hindu Vedic scriptures. Built by some of the best sculptors from South India, the temple used the black granite quarried from the town of Veyangoda and other local materials. The carvings and sculptures here are almost life-like and have much attention to detail. The conical temple spire, intricately carved pillars, decorative arches, sculpted walls and sculptures of gods and goddesses make for a spectacular sight. Dedicated to Lord Shiva, the temple is designed based on human anatomy and the sub-shrines are strategically located around the sanctum sanctorum.
Tips from my trip:
How to get there: SriLankan Airlines flies to various cities in the U.S. on connecting flights.
Where to stay: The Cinnamon Grand Hotel Colombo , where I stayed, is a great option to explore Colombo located close to the ocean-side urban park Galle Face Green and easily accessible to most of these and other sights.
Good to know
- As these are all religious sights, please dress modestly.
- Do not take selfies at these locations. It is considered disrespectful to show your back to the Buddha.
- Carry an umbrella, a bottle of water, sunscreen, and a hat with you on your travels as the weather is quite unpredictable.
- Wear shoes that can be removed easily when on this tour as most religious places will require that you take off your shoes before you enter.