The Jetavanaramaya (Sinhala:ජේතවනාරාමය) is a stupa, located in the
ruins of Jetavana Monastery in the sacred world heritage city of Anuradhapura, Sri Lanka.
King Mahasena (273-301 AD) initiated the
construction of the stupa following the destruction of Mahavihara.
His son Maghavanna I completed the construction of the stupa.[1] A part of a sash or belt tied by the Buddha is believed to be the relic that is
enshrined here.
The
structure is significant in the island's history for it represents the tensions
within the Theravada and Mahayana sects of Buddhist monks,
it is also significant in world history as one of the tallest structures in the
ancient world.[2][3] The height of the stupa is 400 feet
(122 m)[citation
needed] and
was the tallest ancient stupa in the world, the structure is no longer the
tallest however it is the largest with a volume of 233,000 m2(2,508,000 sq ft).
At the time of its completion the structure was the third tallest structure in
the world behind the Great Pyramids of Giza.[2]Approximately
93.3 million baked bricks were used in its construction; the
engineering ingenuity behind the construction of the structure is a significant
development in the history of the island. The sectarian differences between the
Buddhist monks also are represented by the stupa as it was built on the
premises of the destroyed Mahavihara,
which led to a rebellion by a minister of king Mahasena.
This
stupa belongs to the Sagalika sect. The compound covers approximately 5.6
hectares and is estimated to have housed 10,000 Buddhist monks. One side of the
stupa is 576 ft (176 m) long, and the flights of stairs at each of
the four sides of it are 28 ft (9 m) wide. The doorpost to the
shrine, which is situated in the courtyard, is 27 ft (8 m) high. The
stupa has a 8.5 m (28 ft) deep foundation, and sits on bedrock. Stone
inscriptions in the courtyard give the names of people who donated to the
building effort. (Wikipedia).
it was Built
in 3rd centaury. A.D. by king Mahasen (Mahasena). Originally it was about 400
feet high.
It was the 3rd tallest building in the world during that time. 2 pyramids were higher than Jethawanaramaya. However pyramids were not constructed using brick
.
Therefore Jethawanaramaya is the tallest building made out of brick. The only dagaba situated outside the Mahamewna Uyana garden. It is situated in Nandana Uyana garden.
There are several opinions to the creation of the Name Jethawanaramaya. Part of the robe wore by Lord Buddha is kept inside the dagaba as a relic. There were 4 entrances to the dagaba. Unfortunately they have partially collapsed.
There are beautiful stone carving in these entrances. The dagaba is being reconstructed under the Cultural Triangle Project. King Mahasen has donated the temple to Sagalika sect.
Inside ‘budu ge’ (worship house for Lord Buddha) there are 3 statues of Lord Buddha and few statues of kings. The first statue among them is the statue of king Mahasen who build the temple. – Copy Sinhalaya.com.
It was the 3rd tallest building in the world during that time. 2 pyramids were higher than Jethawanaramaya. However pyramids were not constructed using brick
.
Therefore Jethawanaramaya is the tallest building made out of brick. The only dagaba situated outside the Mahamewna Uyana garden. It is situated in Nandana Uyana garden.
There are several opinions to the creation of the Name Jethawanaramaya. Part of the robe wore by Lord Buddha is kept inside the dagaba as a relic. There were 4 entrances to the dagaba. Unfortunately they have partially collapsed.
There are beautiful stone carving in these entrances. The dagaba is being reconstructed under the Cultural Triangle Project. King Mahasen has donated the temple to Sagalika sect.
Inside ‘budu ge’ (worship house for Lord Buddha) there are 3 statues of Lord Buddha and few statues of kings. The first statue among them is the statue of king Mahasen who build the temple. – Copy Sinhalaya.com.
