- A site consecrated by the Buddha: The temple is one of the 16 holy sites in Sri Lanka believed to be consecrated by the Buddha himself. He visited the site on the eighth year after his enlightenment to preach and resolve a dispute.
- Symbol of Sri Lanka’s prosperity: The temple’s history is said to mirror the country’s own. Its rise and fall corresponded with the prosperity and decline of the island nation.
- Rebuilt multiple times: The temple was destroyed by Portuguese invaders and later rebuilt. The Dutch then allowed King Kirthi Sri Rajasingha to develop it.
- Modern Murals with Historical Depictions: The temple is famous for its intricate murals, painted between 1927 and 1946 by Solias Mendis. These paintings depict important events from Sri Lankan Buddhist history, Jataka tales, and astrological charts.
- Host of a Grand Procession: It is the starting point for the annual Duruthu Maha Perahera procession in January. This grand event features hundreds of elephants, dancers, and drummers, attracting thousands of visitors.
