This Theravada Buddhist monastery in Matara is the second largest monastery in our network. Over 40 monks live here. There are many ways you can participate in the life of the monastery, even just with a day visit. If you want to take a break from the beaches in this major tourist city, our monastery is the perfect place. Information in Sinhala Language වැඩි විස්තර

Things to See and Do at the Monastery

  • Meditate

  • Visit the Bodhi Tree shrine

  • Visit the Stupa
  • Talk with monks about Buddhism (learn how)

  • Get personal meditation instructions from the monks

  • Help offer food to the monks at 10:45 (learn how)

  • Join with the evening chanting at 6:00 pm (learn more)

  • Make offerings at the shrines (learn how)
  • Browse the Buddhist bookshop (view catalog)
  • Get a blessing thread from the monks (learn how)

Open Hours

Open Daily: 6 am to 9 pm
Meal offering to monks: 10:45 am
Evening Chanting: 6 pm, Thurs, Fri, Sat, Sun (You must arrive at the front gate by 5:30 so someone can guide you to the top of the hill where the stupa and Bodhi tree are located. It is a strenuous walk up, but worth the effort)

What to Bring

  • Food for yourself if needed. The monastery is not close to any shops.

  • Water bottle. Free drinking water available on site.

  • Shoes that can be easily removed

  • If you like, flowers and/or oil to offer at shrines. There are no flower stalls outside the monastery gate.

Things to See Near the Monastery

  • Matara beach
  • Hummanaya blow hole
  • Weherahena Poorwarama Rajamaha Viharaya with colossal Buddha statue
  • Wewrukannala Buduraja Mahaviharaya with colossal Buddha statue
  • Devinuwara Upulvan (Vishnu) Devalaya

Directions

As you travel people will be happy to help you on your way if you mention to them that you are going to Mahamevnawa (Maha MAY oo naa wa)
From Matara bus stand: Take a bus heading to Yatiyana and get off at Ingurupathawala Handiya. Take a three wheeler to Uda Aparakka Mahamevnawa Bhavana Asapuwa

Sinhal to show to driver:
මහමෙව්නාව මහා විහාරය, උඩඅපරැක්ක, අපරැක්ක, මාතර

Contact Information

Phone (or text): 041 493 5291  Calling Guide 

Email: info@mahamevnawa.lk

You are welcome to visit any time during our open hours and there will probably be someone available to show you around.

If you want to guarantee someone is available, please use this form. We will get back to you within 24 hours. If you are planning to visit before 24 hours, please call us at the number above or simply stop in for a visit.

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