Kalutara Temple, Lunuganga & Brief Garden 1
Kalutara Temple, Lunuganga & Brief Garden 2
Kalutara Temple, Lunuganga & Brief Garden 3
Kalutara Temple, Lunuganga & Brief Garden 4
Kalutara Temple, Lunuganga & Brief Garden 5
Kalutara Temple, Lunuganga & Brief Garden 6
Kalutara Temple, Lunuganga & Brief Garden 7
Kalutara Temple, Lunuganga & Brief Garden 8
1 / 8

Kalutara Temple, Lunuganga & Brief Garden

(5)
Colombo, Sri Lanka
Arts & CulturePilgrimage Or Religion
Instant confirmationSecure checkoutNo hidden fees

About this activity

Explore three remarkable cultural landmarks in one day: the architecturally unique Kalutara Vihara—the world's only hollow Buddhist temple—combined with the legendary gardens of Lunuganga Estate, where Sri Lanka's most influential modernist architect Geoffrey Bawa lived and innovated for five decades. This immersive journey blends spiritual heritage, landscape design mastery, and artistic vision.

 The Kalutara Vihara is a Buddhist temple built in the 1960s which holds the distinction of being the only shrine in the world that is hollow. It is three stories high.

Kalutara temple is one of the country’s most holy places of worship and attracts the South west Buddhist community as well as tourists. Inside the Dogoba is a magnificent array of paintings describing the stories of Buddha.

Lunuganga Estate was the country home of the renowned Sri Lankan architect Geoffrey Bawa. In 1947 the garden led Bawa to decide to become an architect. As he went on to become Sri Lanka’s and one of Asia’s most prolific and influential architects, the garden at the Lunuganga estate remained his first muse and experimental laboratory for new ideas.

Bawa continued to change and experiment with the garden’s spaces and structures throughout his life until his final illness in 1998. The gardens are now open to the public and the buildings on the estate are run as a country house hotel.

Highlight

  •  Kalutara Temple
  • Lunuganga Estate
  • Array of paintings describing the stories of Buddha

Highlights

  • ✓Kalutara Vihara's three-story hollow dagoba—a unique architectural feat in global Buddhism
  • ✓Interior murals depicting scenes from Buddha's life across all temple levels
  • ✓Lunuganga Estate gardens: Bawa's living laboratory of landscape innovation spanning 1947–1998
  • ✓Intimate access to the modernist buildings where Bawa shaped Asian architecture
  • ✓Brief Garden: a compact showcase of tropical design principles
  • ✓Peaceful coastal temple setting alongside intimate residential gardens

Insider tips

  • ★Visit Kalutara Temple early morning (before 9am) to avoid crowds and experience the serene spiritual atmosphere
  • ★Wear modest clothing at the temple (covered shoulders/knees) and remove shoes before entering the dagoba
  • ★Allow 2–3 hours at Lunuganga to fully appreciate how Bawa's garden spaces reveal themselves progressively—rushing diminishes the experience

Good to know

  • •12-hour full-day tour; confirm pickup time and hotel location the evening before
  • •Bring sun protection, comfortable walking shoes, and a light scarf for temple entry
  • •Temple steps are moderately steep; limited shade in gardens—water bottle recommended
  • •Photography is permitted at both locations, though some temple interior areas may have restrictions

Who it's for

Architecture and design enthusiasts interested in modernist landscape innovationCultural pilgrims and Buddhist practitioners seeking spiritual sitesPhotography and art lovers documenting temple murals and garden compositionHistory buffs exploring Sri Lanka's post-independence cultural renaissance

Best time to visit

Visit during dry season (December–March) for comfortable walking conditions and clear skies. Early morning departure maximizes temple tranquility and afternoon light in the gardens.

Frequently asked questions

Available
From€167
per person