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Gannoruwa Raja Maha Viharaya is located near Peradeniya on the Colombo Kandy Road about 3 kilometers into the Gannoruwa Road. Gannoruwa is itself a historic battleground in which the Portuguese had the worst defeat against the Kandyan Kingdom during its occupation.
It is said that the Buwenakbahu VI (1341-1351) who moved the capital to Gampola had his coronation on the banks of the river. When he came to the boat which is supposed to carry him across the river, he found out that this has drifted away and stuck on a reef.
Seeing this the king commanded to fetch the boat to his fleet with the command “Gan – Oruwa” which means “Fetch the Boat”. After this event, the area was called Gan Oruwa which became Gannoruwa.
Also See
Map of Gannoruwa Raja Maha Viharaya
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Travelling Directions to Gannoruwa Raja Maha Viharaya
Kandy can be reached from Colombo on the old Colombo – Kandy road (option 1) which is scenic but heavy in traffic, especially on Fridays and Sundays. However, the new Central Expressway (option 2) has opened up a new route which is longer but less cumbersome.
| Route 1 from Colombo to Kandy | Route 2 from Colombo to Kandy |
| Through : Katunayake Expressway – Central Expressway – Kurunegala Distance :150 km Travel time: 3.20 hours Driving Directions : see on Google map | Through : Katunayake Expressway – Central Expressway – Kurunegala Distance :150 km Travel Time: 3.20 hours Driving Directions : see on Google map |
| Route From Nuwara Eliya to Kandy | |
| Through : Walapane – Raja Mawatha Distance :100 km Travel Time : 3.0 hours Driving Directions : see on Google map |
| Route from Kandy Railway Station to Gannoruwa Raja Maha Viharaya |
| Distance : 2 km Travel time : 5 minutes Driving directions : see on google map |