Discover Kiribathgoda

Kiribathgoda brings together a range of interests: local history spanning different eras, temples and murals, and a jogging track. Its historical accounts range from the village’s former name to a donation in 1866 and a temple history dating to around 1919. There is also a local tradition about the origin of the place name. Kiribathgoda can therefore be included in your travel plans for both cultural topics and a sporting activity. Which aspect matters to you depends on what you are looking for on your trip.

Place Name and Local Tradition

The village of Kiribathgoda was formerly known as Talawathuhempita and was divided into northern and southern parts. Its former name and north–south division provide two different points of reference for its history: one linguistic and one geographical. Alongside individual temples and people, they offer a view of the village as a whole.

According to local tradition, the name Kiribathgoda originated when cooked milk rice was piled up in a nearby paddy field. This milk rice had been prepared as an offering to mark the opening of a bridge on the road to Kandy. The story of the name thus connects a bridge opening with an offering and a paddy field. It offers a narrative approach to the place name and differs from the temple details tied to specific dates. This local tradition adds a vivid explanation to the historical references to the place.

Temple History and Murals

In 1866, Vidanalage Brampi Sinno and his sister Manchinona Hamine donated a plot of land measuring two rice puddles to the monk Revata. A temple was built on this land in Kiribathgoda. This account connects the donation with the construction of the temple and provides a precisely dated point of reference in the area’s history.

Another historical account concerns Sri Sudarshanaramaya in Kiribathgoda. Around 1919, Venerable Veeragule Siri Ratanajothi became head of the temple after the death of Venerable Wederuwe Kondanna. This episode adds a personal perspective to the area’s history, focusing on a head of the temple, his predecessor, and the approximate time of the change.

An old image house with old murals is located on the grounds of Sudharshanarama Temple in Kiribathgoda. Alongside historical names and dates, the image house adds a visual dimension to the area. It points to visual art in a temple setting, complementing accounts of place names, donations, and people. For travelers interested in culture, this is a distinct aspect of the area’s history.

Exercise and Travel Planning

Kiribathgoda also has a jogging track. It adds a sporting activity to the historical and cultural topics, appealing to a different kind of travel interest. This creates a clear distinction when choosing a destination: the area’s history turns the focus to culture and the past, while the jogging track offers exercise as another focus. You can weigh up which of these interests is especially important for your stay.

Discover more destinations: Gampaha, Dalugama, Ja-Ela, Negombo, Bopitiya, Katunayake, Welisara, Siyambalapitiya.

Return to the main travel overview: Gampaha.