What should I wear to a temple in Sri Lanka?
Cover shoulders and knees at every temple, Buddhist or Hindu. A sarong or scarf in your bag solves it, and you can wrap it over shorts at the gate.
Light, loose clothes in pale colours are the most comfortable in the heat; skip anything tight or see-through. Many Sri Lankans wear white to worship, especially on poya (full moon) days, but visitors are not expected to.
Do I need to take my shoes off at temples in Sri Lanka?
Yes. Shoes and hats come off at the entrance. Socks are fine, and welcome on hot stone.
At large sites, such as Ruwanwelisaya in Anuradhapura or the top of Mihintale, you cross wide stone terraces that get very hot by midday, so visit early or late. Many temples have a place to leave shoes, sometimes for a small fee.
Can I take photos at temples in Sri Lanka?
Usually, yes, but never pose with your back to a Buddha statue, and do not photograph people praying. Some shrines do not allow photos inside, so look for signs and ask if you are unsure.
Tattoos of the Buddha should stay covered; they have caused arrests. Treat every Buddha image with respect: do not touch or climb on statues, and do not sit with your feet pointing towards them.
How should I behave inside a temple?
Walk clockwise around stupas and shrines, keeping them on your right. Speak quietly, and step aside for people who are praying or making offerings.
Small donations are welcome, not required. If you would like to make an offering, flowers are sold at many temple gates.
Monks are treated with great respect. Do not touch a monk, and on buses leave the front seats, which are kept for clergy.
Are Hindu temples in Sri Lanka different?
The same basics apply: shoulders and knees covered, shoes off. At some Hindu temples, especially in the north, men are asked to remove their shirts before entering, as at Nallur Kandaswamy Temple in Jaffna.
Puja times can be busy, with drums, bells and crowds of worshippers. Watch from the side and follow what local visitors do. You do not need to bring an offering, though flowers and fruit are common.
- Cover shoulders and knees.
- Take off shoes and hats; socks are fine.
- Never pose with your back to a Buddha statue.
- Do not photograph people praying.
- Keep Buddha tattoos covered.
- Walk clockwise around stupas and shrines.
Questions people ask
Can I wear shorts to a temple in Sri Lanka?
Not on their own. Shoulders and knees must be covered, but a sarong or scarf wrapped over shorts is fine.
Why are Buddha tattoos a problem in Sri Lanka?
Many Sri Lankans see a Buddha tattoo on the body as disrespectful, and such tattoos have led to arrests. Keep any Buddha tattoo covered for your whole stay.
Do I have to pay to enter temples in Sri Lanka?
Many temples are free, and small donations are welcome, not required. Large heritage sites and some famous temples charge foreign visitors a ticket, so check before you go.
Which way do you walk around a stupa in Sri Lanka?
Clockwise, keeping the stupa on your right. Do the same around shrines, and walk at a calm pace.
What is a poya day in Sri Lanka?
Poya is the full moon day each month, a Buddhist holiday and a public holiday. Temples are busy and alcohol sales are restricted, so plan around it.