Gangaramaya Temple

Gangaramaya was founded in the nineteenth century and has accumulated ever since: the complex mixes Sinhalese, Thai, Indian and Chinese architecture, and its museum rooms are packed floor to ceiling with donated objects, thousands of Buddha images in every material, ivory, jade, coins, watches, jewellery and a collection of vintage cars. Nothing is arranged and very little is labelled. A small island shrine, Seema Malaka, sits out on the lake nearby.

What you actually see

• The object rooms - donated collections stacked densely and largely unlabelled.
• The mixed architecture - Sinhalese, Thai, Indian and Chinese elements together.
• Seema Malaka - the island meditation hall on Beira Lake, designed by Geoffrey Bawa.
• The Navam Perahera - the February procession that starts from the temple.

When to go

Year round; the Navam Perahera in February is the temple's biggest event. Mornings are quietest. Poya days bring crowds.

Honest expectations

The collections are chaotic and can feel like hoarding rather than display. There is almost no interpretation. Shoes must be removed and the entry charge for foreigners is well above the local rate.

Nearby

Beira Lake surrounds it, and Colombo Fort is northwest.