The temple was founded in 1898 by Ven. Dodanduwe Punnaji Thero. He established the temple with the aim of providing education and religious training for women who wished to dedicate their lives to Buddhism.
The temple has provided training, education, and spiritual guidance for generations of Buddhist nuns. It continues to play a leading role in preserving Buddhist teachings and encouraging women to follow the noble path of the Buddha.
One of the most remarkable features of Gothami Viharaya is its beautiful murals painted by the renowned Sri Lankan artist George Keyt. During the 1930s and 1940s, Keyt created a series of Buddhist murals for the temple, illustrating scenes from the life of the Buddha and stories from the Jataka tales. His paintings combine traditional Buddhist themes with a distinctive modern artistic style inspired by both Sri Lankan and Indian art. These murals are regarded as masterpieces of Sri Lankan religious art and attract many art lovers, historians, and tourists. They have greatly enhanced the cultural and artistic value of Gothami Viharaya and remain one of the temple's greatest treasures.
