Nelligala International Buddhist Center is a modern Buddhist temple situated in the village of Muruthalawa in Kandy District, 13 km (8 miles) west of Kandy city by road. The constructions of the Nelligala Temple were commenced in 2015, the foundations were carried out with the help of the Sri Lanka Army. The Sri Lankan architects were Roshan Somadheera and his son. The inspiring founder was Ven. Wathurakumbure Dhammaratana Thero, who more recently also developed the restoration of the historical Kuragala temple on the Balangoda-Kaltota road B38.
The Nelligala International Buddhist Center is modern in many ways, it's neat and clean, not excluding Mahayana forms of Buddhism and inviting believers of all faiths, offering wheelchair access to reach the top comfortably, and providing enough parking opportunities close to the summit. The best times to visit Nelligala are the early morning and sunset. Access is free of charge. The dress code requires covered shoulders and knees and removing shoes and caps, wearing full face covers is prohibited.
The Nelligala International Buddhist Center is modern in many ways, it's neat and clean, not excluding Mahayana forms of Buddhism and inviting believers of all faiths, offering wheelchair access to reach the top comfortably, and providing enough parking opportunities close to the summit. The best times to visit Nelligala are the early morning and sunset. Access is free of charge. The dress code requires covered shoulders and knees and removing shoes and caps, wearing full face covers is prohibited.
In recent years, Nelligala has become a popular tourist attraction, visited on half-day excursions from Kandy. Nelligala is eyecatching for two reasons, it's a combination of flashy architecture and prominent scenic setting atop the crest of a hill. The landmarks of Nelligala comprise a white bubble-shaped stupa (Nelligala Sri Shakya Sinha Maha Seya) in the Sinhala style, as well as its Southeastasian counterpart, a needle-shaped gold shimmering chedi in the style of Myanmar, a Bo-tree placed in a large gold-coloured bowl, several gilded statues, and a statue of Lord Sumana Saman riding on a white elephant spectacularly placed on a separate platform to the southwest, where his mountain, Siri Pada, is located and can be seen on clear days. The Sumana Saman Deva monument was opened to the public by the Chief of Defence Staff and Commander of the Sri Lanka Army, General Shavendra Silva, on the Unduwappura Full Moon Day, 29 December 2020.