Having visited the island of Sri Lanka, it is impossible to just pass by a magnificent construction, impressive with its amazing shape and variety of stucco. This is the main 200-year-old Hindu temple in Bentota. Approaching it, you can see various small statues depicting figures of animals, gods, and scenes from the mythology of India. The Temple was built from South Indian granite using the best technologies of masters from South India.
Its distinctive feature is that any touch to the columns or statues entails a very quiet, harmonious sound. That is why it is called a “Singing Temple”. Each figure of the temple is done so realistically that you get an impression that the little deities will revive and come down from the walls. Currently, the Temple is functioning, so you can meet a lot of pilgrims willing to worship the Mother of the Three Gods. That is the main shrine of the monastery, a statue depicting the Hindu deity Durga. Near the Temple there is a small shop where you can buy souvenirs – calendars, figurines and key rings with a reduced copy of the construction.
There are many Hindu temples in Colombo. The oldest of them, including Old Katyrezan, is on Sea street. Together with his neighbor – New Katyresan – it is dedicated to the God of War Skanda. And in particular it is known for the fact that the ceremonial procession of the most important annual Hindu Festival of Veles begins and ends here. At that time, through the streets of the city from one Hindu temple to another, the Trident of the God is being carried. The structure of both churches exactly corresponds to the ancient canons and combines many colorful and even bizarre motifs, images and sculptures from the pantheon of Indian deities. The conglomeration of bright forms on the facade of buildings is unusual for the eye of a European and truly fascinates. Details of the Temple decorations can be contemplated for hours.