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]
Ruwanwelisaya, Anuradhapura, Sri Lanka
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).
