Lankaramaya | ලංකාරාමය — Attraction in North Central Province

Lankaramaya in Sri Lanka: A Temple with Over Two Millenia of History

The tale of the temple Lankaramaya in Sri Lanka is the stuff of legend. The year 103 BC was a memorable year for the King Walagamba (also known as Vattagamini Abaya) of Anuraddhapura. As the rightful king he had been attacked by invaders of the kingdom, and during that year he hid out at a place called Silasobha Khandaka and planned their defeat. His plans worked out well and the invaders were destroyed in the same year, enabling him to be enthroned following the failed invasion.

Silasobha Khandaka held a very special place in his memories, as the place that saved his life and from where he started on the road to his reign. Therefore, he built a stupa in its memory and named it Silasobha Khandaka Cetiya. The stupa was similar in architecture to the Thuparama, the first stupa to be built after the establishment of Buddhism in Sri Lanka in 250 BC. It was built with 88 pillars supporting the roof of the vatadage which appears to have been 45 feet in diameter. The vatadage was a roofed hall like structure that surrounded the actual stupa in the centre, with the entire structure built at 10 feet above ground level.

Lankaramaya in Sri Lanka: Present day status of the Temple

Today the actual stupa has been renovated, but little remains of the vatadage except the ruins of a few broken pillars in the middle of the large courtyard. The name of the stupa too has been changed from Silasobha Khandaka Cetiya to the simpler Lankaramaya.

Lankaramaya, along with the Elephant pond and the old underground canal network (dating back hundreds of years) are excellent examples of the complex architecture used millenia ago. They are interesting sites for archeology and histoty lovers. Lankaramaya is definitely a great place to visit on your holiday to Sri Lanka’s Ancient Kingdom...

Lankaramaya is a very ancient monastery of the ancient capital of Anuradhapura. Of the history of the monastery, next to nothing appears to be known, and that little is very indefinite. Captain Chapman, in a paper published in the Journal of the Royal Asiatic Society for 1851-2, states that “it was erected by king Abha Sen, or Tissa, whose reign commenced A.D. 231” ; and Major Forbes, in his work entitled Eleven years in Ceylon, says it “was erected in the reign of Mahasen, between A.D. 276 and 303”. No reliance can, however, be placed on either of these statements, as, besides being at variance, they are unsupported by evidence of their accuracy (Smither and Wikramagamage, 1993).

According Anuradha Seneviratna, this stupa has been built on the 1st century BC by King Vattagamini Abaya (Walagamba). The ancient name of this temple is “Silasobbha Khandaka Cetiya”. After the defeat by the Tamil invaders on the same year he came to the throne king Walagamba (103 BC) has hidden in a place called “Silasobbha Khandaka” and after defeating the Tamils and regaining the throne he has built this stupa by the same name (Seneviratna,1994).

Lankaramaya seems to have had another name in the past. It is possible this was the Manisomaramaya named in honor of Queen Somadevi of Vattagamini Abaya. History records king Kanitta Tissa (164-192) added to it a great Parivena as well as a cetiyaghara (vatadage) and later king Gotabhaya (253-266) restored the Vatadage and uposthaghara. Manisomaramaya is considered the Bhikkuni Aramaya of Abhayagri Viharaya alike Thuparamaya was the Bhikkuni Aramaya of Maha Viahraya...

Lankaramaya, also known as Lankarama, is an ancient Buddhist stupa located in Anuradhapura, Sri Lanka. Built during the reign of King Vattagamani Abhaya (also known as King Vattagamani) in the 1st century BCE, Lankaramaya is notable for its historical and architectural significance.

Key features of Lankaramaya include:

Stupa Architecture: The stupa at Lankaramaya is characterized by its traditional dome shape, which is a typical feature of Sri Lankan stupas. The structure was originally designed to house relics of the Buddha, serving as a major site of veneration and pilgrimage.

Historical Significance: The stupa is an important part of the ancient Anuradhapura complex, which was a major center of Buddhist culture and scholarship in Sri Lanka. It reflects the artistic and architectural achievements of the time and the deep devotion of the Buddhist community.

Restorations: Over the centuries, Lankaramaya has undergone several restorations to preserve its structural integrity and historical value. These efforts have helped maintain the stupa's status as a significant religious and cultural site.

Cultural and Religious Importance: Lankaramaya remains a focal point for Buddhist worship and ceremonies. It continues to attract pilgrims and visitors who come to pay respects and explore its historical context.

The stupa's blend of historical depth and architectural elegance makes Lankaramaya a key site for understanding Sri Lanka's rich Buddhist heritage and the historical evolution of its religious...