Seema Malaka

Seema Malaka was originally constructed in the late 19th century. The original structure slowly sank into the water in 1970s. In 1976, Sri Lankan architect Geoffrey Bawa was brought in to redesign and construct the temple, which stands today.{{cite news|title=The Work Of Geoffrey Bawa|publisher=Geoffrey Bawa official website|accessdate=9 Aug 2016|url=http://www.geoffreybawa.com/work/introduction}}{{cite news|title=36 Hours in Colombo, Sri Lanka|work=The New York Times|accessdate=9 Aug 2016|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2013/12/15/travel/36-hours-in-colombo-sri-lanka.html}} The reconstruction was funded by a Sri Lankan Muslim businessman, S. H. Moosajee, and his wife, in memory of their son Ameer S. Moosajee.{{cite news|title=The Seema Malaka Lake Temple|publisher=musukaikai.com|accessdate=19 May 2016|url=http://musukaikai.com/?p=5291}}

Seema Malaka was redesigned by Geoffrey Bawa in 1976 after the original structure slowly sank; the temple is in the middle of the Beira Lake and the design was inspired by the ancient monasteries in forests of Anuradhapura and Ritigala.

The temple is constructed on three platforms over water, which are connected to the mainland and with each other by pontoon bridges. The temple's main roof is covered with blue color tiles and the temple is made from collected spindles and handrails in wooden finishes. The architecture of the edifice resembles the Kandyan era. All three platforms have numerous seated Buddha statues displaying different mudras. The main (central) platform houses wooden paneled shelter for meditation. On one of the side platforms is the Bodhi Tree which was grown from a branch of the Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi tree in Anuradhapura. The four corners of the side platform have small shrines dedicated to Shiva, Vishnu, Kataragama deviyo and Ganesha.{{cite news|title=A Place Rich In History|publisher=The Sunday Leader|accessdate=9 Aug 2016|url=http://www.thesundayleader.lk/2011/12/25/a-place-rich-in-history/}} A shrine dedicated to Guanyin is found at the entrance to the temple and another statue of Guanyin is also found within the temple complex.

Seema Malaka - Buddha statue under the Bodhi Tree.jpg|Buddha statue under the Bodhi Tree

Seema Malaka main hall.jpg|Main hall of the temple

Seema Malaka - Buddha footprint.jpg|Buddha footprint at temple entrance

Vishnu idol in Seema Malaka.jpg|Vishnu statue in the temple

File:Gangaramaya Temple SL2.png|Guanyin statue in front of main temple hall

File:The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi at the Seema Malaka Temple, in Colombo, Sri Lanka on May 11, 2017.jpg|Guanyin shrine at the entrance to the main temple hall

Seema Malaka - Buddha statues.jpg|Buddha statues in different Mudras towards South side of the temple

Seema Malaka North platform 01.jpg|North side platform

Seema Malaka side view.jpg|Main hall with Bodhi Tree in background

Seema Malaka is situated in the Beira Lake in Colombo, Sri Lanka. It is situated {{convert|34|km}} south of Bandaranaike International Airport and {{convert|2|km}} south-east of Galle Face Green.{{cite news|title=Location|publisher=Google Maps|accessdate=19 May 2016|url=https://www.google.co.uk/maps/dir//Seema+Malaka,+Sir+James+Pieris+Mawatha,+Colombo,+Western+Province,+Sri+Lanka/@6.9224498,79.8431167,15z/data=!4m8!4m7!1m0!1m5!1m1!1s0x3ae2596aff659553:0x3ac0934181602b6c!2m2!1d79.854576!2d6.9168275}}

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• {{YouTube|id=tB2sYH_okpg|title=Seema Malaka of Gangaramaya temple, Colombo}}

{{Geographic location

|Centre = Seema Malaka

|North = Nawaloka Hospital (450 m)

|Northeast = Slave Island (800 m)

|East = National Hospital of Sri Lanka (1.7 km)

|Southeast = Colombo Cricket Club Ground (2.2 km)

|South = Ladies College, Colombo (1.9 km)

|Southwest = Durdans Hospital (2.4 km)

|West = Gangaramaya Temple (200 m)

|Northwest = Galle Face Green (2.0 km)

}}

{{Buddhism in Sri Lanka}}

{{Buddhism topics}}

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Category:Buddhist temples in Colombo

Category:Tourist attractions in Colombo

Category:Geoffrey Bawa buildings