'Thuparamaya', Anuradhapura, Sri Lanka.

A stone water cistern.

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Coordinates: 8°21′19″N 80°23′46″E

Thuparamaya dagoba in Anuradhapura.

Thuparamaya is a dagoba in Anuradhapura, Sri Lanka. It is a Buddhist sacred place of veneration.

Mahinda Thera, an envoy sent by King Ashoka himself introduced Theravada Buddhism and also chetiya worship to Sri Lanka. At his request King Devanampiyatissa built Thuparamaya in which was enshrined the collarbone of the Buddha. It is considered to be the first dagaba built in Sri Lanka following the introduction of Buddhism. This is considered the earliest monument, the construction of which was chronicled Sri Lanka. The name Thuparamaya comes from "stupa" and "aramaya" which is a residential complex for monks.

Thuparamaya dagoba has been built in the shape of a heap of paddy. This dagoba was destroyed from time to time. During the reign of King Agbo II it was completely destroyed and the King restored it. What is seen presently is the construction of the dagoba, done in 1862 AD. As of today, after several renovations, in the course of the centuries, the monument has a diameter of 59 ft (18 m), at the base. The dome is 11 feet 4 inches (3.45 m) in height from the ground, 164½ ft (50.1 m) in diameter. The compound is paved with granite and there are 2 rows of stone pillars round the dagaba. During the early period vatadage was built round the dagoba.

Sights at the Ruwanweli Saeya, Anuradhapura, Sri Lanka.

Water dispenser donated by Shri Jawarhalal Nehru.

Sights at the Ruwanweli Saeya, Anuradhapura, Sri Lanka.

Water dispenser donated by Shri Jawarhalal Nehru.

Ruwanweli Saeya, Anuradhapura, Sri Lanka.

Pilgrims.

A 'mal aasana' - 'flower pedestral' for offering of fresh flowers - made of stone.

Ruwanweli Saeya, Anuradhapura, Sri Lanka.

Cavities cut in stone block for the relics to be placed.

Ruwanweli Saeya, Anuradhapura, Sri Lanka.

Statue of King Dutugemunu.

Stone pillars near the Stupa.

Monkey eating the flower-petals of water-lilies offered at worship around the Stupa.

The 'Ruwanvali Saeya', Anuradhapura, Sri Lanka.

The Ruwanwelisaya is a stupa in Sri Lanka, considered a marvel for its architectural qualities and sacred to many Buddhists all over the world. It was built by King Dutugemunu c. 140 B.C., who became lord of all Sri Lanka after a war in which the Chola King Elara, was defeated. It is also known asMahathupa, Swarnamali Chaitya, Suvarnamali Mahaceti (in Pali) and Rathnamali Dagaba.

This is one of the Solosmasthana (the 16 places of veneration) and the Atamasthana (the 8 places of veneration in the ancient sacred city of Anuradhapura). The stupa is one of the world's tallest monuments, standing at 338 feet (103 m) and with a circumference of 950 ft (290 m). ^[1]

The Kaunghmudaw Pagoda in Sagaing, Myanmar is modeled after this stupa.^[2]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ruwanwel

Ruwanwelisaya, Anuradhapura, Sri Lanka

What is the Buddhist Stupa?

The construction of Ruwanwelisaya Stupa (or Stūpa Ruvanveli) was prophesied by missionery Arahat Mahinda Thera, who brought Buddhism to Sri Lanka from India in III century BC. Having heard about the prophesy that a century later a Great King will build a Grand Stupa, King Dewanampia Tissa buried a pillar in the destined place with engraved prophesy. A century later King Dutthagamani found the hidden pillar and took up the construction. 


According to the legend during the construction of the stupa, different materials were used, such as gold, silver, pearls, corals, steel, clay bricks and precious stones. The construction of stupa was launched on full moon of Vesak month. All the important events in Sri Lanka took place on this very night: Buddha’s birth and death, his arrival to Sri Lanka etc. In the center of the stupa King put 8 big pots of gold and 8 pots of silver. He also put 108 vases around them. In the each of 8 corners of the stupa he put a gold bar, surrounded by 108 silver bars. However he wasn't able to see his creation fully completed: king Dutthagamani died when the roof was being finished. His brother had to continue the construction.

 

Ruwanwelisaya is one of the world's tallest historical monuments, standing at 91 m and with a diameter 90m. It used to be the center of first Buddhist monastery in Sri Lanka, and about 10 000 monks lived here. According to the legend Buddha's relics are kept here. It's supposed that the architect got the inspiration of the stupa shape when watching an air balloon fly on the water. Despite its height and hundred thousand tons of bricks used for the construction, the initial "balloon" idea isn't corrupted: when looking at this huge building painted in white one can't get rid of the feeling of lightness and calm. The precious stone on the tip of the building is a gift from Myanmar (Burma).
 

http://www.building.am/page.php?id=185