5/5 Mathangan S. 3 years ago on Google
Within
the
heart
of Colombo is
the
Gangarama
Buddhist
Temple.
Built
during
the
late
19th
century
for
the
Buddhists
who
lived
in
the
capital
city
of
Colombo;
the
temple
sprawled
over
a
large
area
of
land
and
included
several
outer
structures.
The
Seema
Malaka
is
one
of
these.
Originally,
it
was
built
with
a
foundation
within
the
floor
of
Beira
Lake,
and
was
the
image
of
stolidity.
However,
it
was
not
able
to
withstand
the
marshy
ground
underneath
the
lake.
By
1970
the
Seema
Malaka
had
sunk
completely
under
the
waters
of
of
Beira.
And
then
in
1976,
Sir
Geoffrey
Bawa
was
hired
to
do
this
difficult
construction
design.
He
created
three
floating
platforms
interlinked
by
pontoon
walkways
and
anchored
to
the
base
of
the
lake
by
way
of
stone
pillars.
The
light
design
ensured
that
the
construction
would
not
sink.
The
entire
structure
is
connected
to
the
shore
using
another
pontoon
bridge.
He
created
a
design
that
emulated
the
ancient
monasteries
of
Anuradhapura,
and
added
his
own
signature
modern
twirl
to
it.
Bawa
was
one
of
the
most
influential
Asian
architects
of
the
mid
to
late
20th
century,
and
was
well
known
for
founding
Tropical
Modernism.
This
style
is
very
apparent
in
the
deep
blue
clay
roof
tiles
of
the
main
temple,
the
simplistic
and
yet
delicate
structure
made
of
a
collection
of
wooden
spindles
and
banisters
that
lets
plenty
of
air
and
light
in,
and
the
overall
design
that
conforms
to
nature
instead
of
fighting
against
it.
Things
to
See
The
Central
Platform:
This
platform
has
a
number
of
Asian
seated
stone
Buddhas
along
the
perimeter
of
the
platform.
They
are
beautifully
sculpted
and
come
out
well
in
photos.
In
the
centre
is
a
room
with
slatted
wooden
walls.
This
comfortable
place
is
used
for
meditation
and
yoga
by
visitors
and
devotees.
It
provides
a
relaxing
view
of
the
lake
and
its
surroundings.
It
also
has
a
beautiful
large
Buddha
statue
flanked
by
two
giant
elephant
tusks.
Before
entering
this
room,
you
can
take
note
of
the Anuradhapura style
dwarf
guardian
statues
at
the
entrance;
which
are
perfectly
formed.
The
Northern
Platform:
This
platform
is
sealed
and
is
said
to
lead
to
the
Treasury
of
the
Truth.
This
houses
a
library
of
Buddhist
texts
and
is
only
accessible
by
monks.
The
Courtyard:
This
is
where
the
main
part
of
Seema
Malaka
is.
To
one
side
of
the
courtyard,
a
comparatively
small
offshoot
of
the
original
sacred
Bo
tree
in Anuradhapura grows
out
of
a
raised
platform
draped
in
prayer
flags.
It
is
flanked
by
Buddha
statues
of
varied
sizes
–
the
biggest
of
which
stands
magnificently
next
to
a
small
stupa.
The
courtyard
has
small
rooms
with
wooden
doors
at
the
four
corners.
Within
these
are
localized
versions
of
Hindu
Gods
that
the
Buddhists
worship
as
Devas.
Just
behind
the
main
courtyard
is
a
tier
of
stacked-up
Buddha
statues
from
Thailand.
Close
to
this
is
the
temple’s
most
surprising
feature;
a
collection
of
vintage
cars,
presented
by
well-wishers
over
the
years
The
Museum:
On
the
way
out
of
the
entrance
you
can
visit
the
museum.
The
temple
museum
has
two
big
rooms
overflowing
with
a
treasure-trove
of
interesting
objects;
some
collected
for
their
symbolism,
some
for
their
artistic
and/or
financial
value,
and
some
just
because.
These
include
collections
of
ancient
Sanskrit
Ola
leaf
manuscripts,
large
sapphires
and
other
precious
stones,
sandalwood
and
ivory
carvings,
brass
statuettes
of
gods,
jade
&
crystal
monstrosities,
elephant
tusks,
coins,
innumerable
Buddha
images
&
statues
of
other
Buddhist
&
Hindu
deities,
oil
lamps,
votive
pagodas,
old
clocks,
porcelain,
ivory
carvings
and
even
old
gramophones.
Overall
they
form
what
feels
more
like
a
cave
of
treasures
that
is
definitely
worth
looking
at.
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