Kothduwa temple

Kothduwa temple is a Buddhist shrine on an island within the Madu River, surrounded by mangrove forests and water channels. The island sits isolated amid the river and can only be reached by boat.

The temple was completed in the 1860s by Samson Rajapakse and held historical significance as a sanctuary for sacred Buddhist reliquaries. Its construction marked an important moment in preserving local religious traditions.

The temple holds a Bodhi tree whose lineage traces to the sacred tree at Anuradhapura, serving as a focal point for worship and meditation for visitors.

Visitors must take a motorboat from Balapitiya, operated by temple staff, as it is the only way to reach the island. Expect waiting times as boats operate on a schedule based on visitor demand.

The temple is the only religious building within the Maduganga Estuary, a protected wildlife sanctuary with abundant bird and animal life. Many visitors overlook that the surrounding natural setting is itself a defining feature of the location.