The Angurukaramulla Temple is tucked away safely from the buzz of city life though it is quite close to the main road that connects Negombo to other cities. Located in large sandy premises which is lined with trees, the temple is a quiet place though it woos throngs of people throughout the year. Those who enjoy the solitude and tranquility at beach resorts in Sri Lanka such as the stalwart, Amagi Hotels and Resorts would definitely find serenity here as well.

There is ample parking at the temple, but it can be a bit messy on rainy days. When you amble in there will be an area close to the pond where your footwear can be removed. There are no signages but you can follow the other devotees or simply check which tree or nook is full of slippers and follow suit. Once you step into the sacred area sans your footwear there is usually a welcoming breeze as a result of the swaying trees and the clear water in the pond. There would be a few elderly devotees in white sarongs and shirts eagerly engaged in cleaning the premises, directing visitors or having a word with the chatty ones. They will tell you that the Angurukaramulla Temple came into being as a miraculous coincidence. The relics that are sanctified at this temple were being transported to the central part of Sri Lanka when the convoy stopped in the area for a breather. The story continues that they were unable to move the relics cart further and decided to place them in a newly built temple.

The temple has an astonishing collection of books which are hundreds of years old. Much effort is put into retaining the knowledge in these books, but the same cannot be said about the building used as the library. There are a few more recent additions to the premises, but the main building with the dragon entrance definitely stands out.

A true believer that the pen is a mighty weapon, Joanna James ventures into reaching the minds of every reader with the earnest hope of leaving an indelible stream of thought. Her interests include Politics, law and Philosophy. Google+