Day Visit to Kaduwela Mahamevnawa Buddhist Monastery

Day Visit to Kaduwela Mahamevnawa Buddhist Monastery2020-02-18T04:44:19+00:00

Minutes from Kaduwela exit of the E2 expressway, this active monastery is home to the Shraddha TV and Radio stations. About 15 monks live here . They diligently look after the spiritual needs of lay Buddhists in the Colombo area.

Things to See and Do at the Monastery

  • Visit the huge Bodhi Tree shrine

  • Talk with monks about Buddhism. (learn how)

  • Get personal meditation instructions from the monks

  • Make offerings at the shrines (learn how)

  • Help offer food to the monks at 10:45 (learn how)

  • Get a blessing thread from the monks (learn how)

  • Browse our Buddhist Bookshop (see catalog)

  • Join with the evening chanting at 6:00 pm (learn more)

Open Hours

Open Daily: 6 am to 9 pm
Monk’s meal offering: 10:45
Evening Chanting: 6 pm

Things to see near the Kaduwela monastery

  • Gangaramaya Temple: 18km
  • Kelaniya Rajamaha Viharaya, Colombo: 8 km
  • Marsh Birds Observation Centre: 4 mk
  • Water World Lanka (aquarium) : 5 km

What to Bring

  • Water bottle. Free drinking water available on site.

  • Shoes that can be easily removed

  • If you like, flowers and/or oil to offer at shrines.

Directions to Kaduwela Monastery

As you travel people will be happy to help you on your way if you mention to them that you are going to Mahamevnawa (Maha MAY oo naa wa)

From Colombo Bus Stand: Get on to a bus heading to Hanwella via Kaduwela and get off at Hewagama, Kaduwela in front of the Mahamevnawa Bodhignana Bavana Asapuwa. Tell the conductor that you need to get off at Kaduwela, Hewagama Mahamevnawa Bavana Asapuwa.
From Kandy: Get on a bus heading to Panadura (No 17) and get off at Kaduwela town. You can pay Rs 100 or 150 for a three wheeler (tuk tuk) and tell them to drop you to the Kaduwela, Hewagama Mahamevnawa Bavana Asapuwa.
From the airport: you may get on to a air conditioned bus heading to Colombo bus stand, and again get onto a bus heading to Hanwella, and get off at Kaduwela, Hewagama Mahamevnawa Bavana Asapuwa.
From Matara or Galle: You could use the highway buses to Kaduwela and from the Kaduwela bus stand you could get a three-wheeler to the Kaduwela, Hewagama Mahamevnawa Bavana Asapuwa.

From the Outer Circular Expressway (E2): Take the B214 exit to Biyagama, turning onto AB10. In about 500m the monastery will be on your right. The first right after the monastery is Rajasinghe Mawatha. For parking, turn right on Rajasinghe Mawatha and in about 200m turn right and you will come to the back entrance.

Sinhal to show to driver:
කඩුවෙල, හේවාගම මහමෙව්නාව බෝධිඥාන භාවනා අසපුව

Contact Information

Phone (or text): +94 11-4377924  Calling Guide 

Email: info@mahamevnawa.lk

You are welcome to visit any time during our open hours and there will probably be someone available to show you around.

If you want to guarantee someone is available, please use this form. We will get back to you within 24 hours. If you are planning to visit before 24 hours, please call us at the number above or simply stop in for a visit.

    F.A.Q.

    Is there a dress code for day visits?2018-03-13T05:12:03+00:00

    Try to wear modest clothing that covers knees and shoulders.

    Can I take photos?2018-03-13T05:13:27+00:00

    Unless posted, you are very welcome to take photos anywhere in the monastery. Try to avoid selfies with Buddha statues behind you. If you post them on Instagram or Facebook please make sure they are dignified, and be sure to tag them with #mahamevnawa.

    Can I have my photo taken with the monks?2018-03-13T05:15:09+00:00

    Feel free to ask them. If they say yes, please avoid physical contact. Please don’t hug the monks!!

    Is there an entrance fee?2018-03-13T05:21:27+00:00

    Absolutely not. There is no fee for anything, although some our locations have a small bookshop with moderately priced English language Buddhist books.

    Are children welcome?2018-03-13T05:23:11+00:00

    Absolutely. Children come with their families to the monastery all the time. We even carry some English children’s books on Buddhism in our bookshops.

    Can I really get meditation instructions when I visit.2018-03-13T05:23:56+00:00

    Yes, as long as a monk is available. To be sure one is available, send us an e-mail or call.

    Can the monks do blessing chants for me?2018-03-13T05:25:18+00:00

    Absolutely. Just ask. They can also give you blessing threads. There is no charge for this or any other services of the monastery.

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