About Thuparamaya Thuparamaya is believed to be the first stupa built in Sri Lanka. Thuparamaya was founded around the 3rd century BC. Built by King Devanampiya Tissa, it is a white domed structure in the ancient city of Anuradhapura, also known as Thupalama Dagoba.
Famous for enshrining one of the Buddha's relics, the right clavicle, this shrine is visited by Buddhists from all over the world on pilgrimage.
History of Thuparamaya This is the first stupa built in Sri Lanka after Buddhism was brought to Sri Lanka. Located in the sacred area of Mahameuna Park, the Tupala Maya Stupa is the oldest dagoba built on the island. It dates back to the reign of King Devanampiya Tissa (247-207 BC).
A distinguishing feature of the famous Tupala Maya is the Vatadage. It is a dome-shaped structure that used to be a stupa. The name Thuparamaya is said to be derived from the words 'Stupa' and 'Aramaya' which describe a monastery complex for monks.
Of his 176 pillars, estimated to have once encircled Dagava, more than 30 can still be seen, some of which retain lotus-shaped crowns and polished surfaces. increase. Famous elements are his two guard stones on either side of the entrance.
Archaeological excavations have uncovered the remains of an ancient hospital that existed more than 2,000 years ago. Artifacts such as medical equipment and remnants of a latrine system were found. Not far from the stupa are the remains of a picture gallery and several tanks.
Thuparamaya is also said to enshrine the sacred collarbone of Buddha which was placed there by King Devanampiya Tissa.
Today's Tuparamaya Today, visitors can see the unique bell shape of the Tuparamaya and the rows of stone pillars surrounding the stupa. Around the temple you can see traces of the Vatadage that was built around it at that time Over the centuries, Tupala Maya has been reported destroyed by various forces and natural disasters. It has been refurbished many times over the years, but the last known refurbishment in history was in the 19th century AD, when the dagoba was 59 feet in diameter at the base and just 11 feet high.
Tupala Maya has been officially identified as an archaeological site of Sri Lanka by the Government of Sri Lanka.
How to get to Thuparamaya This temple is located in Mahamewna Uyana in the holy city of Anuradhapura, one of the most popular places in Sri Lanka he.
Anuradhapura can be reached by many routes from Colombo. The two main routes are via Putram (Puttarama) and Kurunegala. Traveling from Puttlam you will pass through the scenic he Wilpattu area. There are two main routes from Kurunegala to Anuradhapura. The most common route is via Dambulla. Another route goes through Gargamuwa. Thuparamaya is the first Buddhist temple built after the arrival of his Mahinda Thera (Mahindagamanaya) in Sri Lanka. Located in the sacred area of Mahameuna Park, the Tupala Maya Stupa is the oldest dagoba built on the island. It dates back to the reign of King Devanampiya Tissa (247-207 BC). The temple is officially recognized as an archaeological site of Sri Lanka by the government. Mahinda Thera, an envoy sent by King Ashoka himself, introduced Theravada Buddhism and Chaitya worship to Sri Lanka. At his request, King Devanampya built Tissa his thupalamayya and fixed the right clavicle of the Buddha. 3 It is believed to be the first stupa built in Sri Lanka after the arrival of Buddhism, and is also the oldest monument whose construction is documented. The name Thuparamaya comes from the 'stupa' and 'alamaya' which is the residence...
Read moreThis is the first stupa to be built in the country after the introduction of Buddhism to Sri Lanka. Built in the time of king Devamnampiyatissa (250BC – 210BC) this was a stupa as well as an Aramic complex (monastery). Today ruins of this complex covers nearly 3 ½ acres. The stupa was built on the instructions of Mahinda Thero who brought Buddhism to the island to enshrine the right collar-bone of Lord Buddha.
On this stupa you can see a unique architectural feature called vatadage, a stupa-house. This building completely housed the stupa. At present four concentric circles of stone pillars are found around the stupa. They diminish in height from inner most circle and at one time carried the weight of a dome-shaped roof over the stupa. There has been 176 pillars which supported this stupa house and in 1896, 31 complete pillars with capitals has been standing. This vatadage has been built in the 1st century AC.
In the seventh century BC the stupa was covered with a gold and silver casing and the vatadagê (stupa-house) with golden bricks and golden doors. Then Pandyans (south Indian Tamil) plundered the stupa of it’s all gold, jewels and treasures.
Again Mahinda IV (956-972) re installed the golden casings and the golden doors but again in the late 10th century Colas (south Indian Tamil) completely plundered the complex of its valuables.
The renovation of the present stupa was completed in 1862 which as completely changed the ancient features of this most ancient stupa.
On the left to the stupa you can see the conserved remains of an Image house belonging to this stupa complex. This was built by king Devanampiyatissa in the 3rd century BC and six hundred years later this was destined to be the fist to house the Tooth Relic of Buddha, to claim the title of first Dalada Maligawa in the island.
The building is adorned by a pair of beautiful guard stones at the entrance. Some of the pillars still holds the lotus shaped crown and smooth polished surface which has survived over 2 millennia is a rarity in the building in Anuradhapura.
Next to this is remains of a small building with the two smaller guardstone and a granite doorway. Next to this is an ancient well made of granite blocks. On the opposite side of the walkway to the stupa you will find a small stupa called Padalanchana Stupa.
On the north-western side of the stupa you can see the Basawakkulama tank. This is the most ancient monument in Anuradhapura. This was built by king Pandukabhaya in the...
Read moreThis is the first stupa to be built in the country after the introduction of Buddhism to Sri Lanka. Built in the time of king Devamnampiyatissa (250BC – 210BC) this was a stupa as well as an Aramic complex (monastery). Today ruins of this complex covers nearly 3 ½ acres. The stupa was built on the instructions of Mahinda Thero who brought Buddhism to the island to enshrine the right collar-bone of Lord Buddha.
On this stupa you can see a unique architectural feature called vatadage, a stupa-house. This building completely housed the stupa. At present four concentric circles of stone pillars are found around the stupa. They diminish in height from inner most circle and at one time carried the weight of a dome-shaped roof over the stupa. There has been 176 pillars which supported this stupa house and in 1896, 31 complete pillars with capitals has been standing. This vatadage has been built in the 1st century AC.
In the seventh century BC the stupa was covered with a gold and silver casing and the vatadagê (stupa-house) with golden bricks and golden doors. Then Pandyans (south Indian Tamil) plundered the stupa of it’s all gold, jewels and treasures. Again Mahinda IV (956-972) re installed the golden casings and the golden doors but again in the late 10th century Colas (south Indian Tamil) completely plundered the complex of its valuables.
The renovation of the present stupa was completed in 1862 which as completely changed the ancient features of this most ancient stupa.
On the left to the stupa you can see the conserved remains of an Image house belonging to this stupa complex. This was built by king Devanampiyatissa in the 3rd century BC and six hundred years later this was destined to be the fist to house the Tooth Relic of Buddha, to claim the title of first Dalada Maligawa in the island.
The building is adorned by a pair of beautiful guard stones at the entrance. Some of the pillars still holds the lotus shaped crown and smooth polished surface which has survived over 2 millennia is a rarity in the building in Anuradhapura.
Next to this is remains of a small building with the two smaller guardstone and a granite doorway. Next to this is an ancient well made of granite blocks. On the opposite side of the walkway to the stupa you will find a small stupa called Padalanchana Stupa.
On the north-western side of the stupa you can see the Basawakkulama tank. This is the most ancient monument in Anuradhapura. This was built by king Pandukabhaya in the...
Read more