The ancient city of Anuradhapura is a UNESCO world heritage site and has several magnificent monuments which includes the tallest structures of ancient world: Jetavanaramaya Dagoba.
A Buddhist stupa is known as Dagoba in Sri Lanka and it contains the holy relics of Buddha. Jethawanaramaya has a part of belt worn by Buddha. It was built by King Mahasena (276-303 AC) as a result of the rising rivalry between the 2 prominent sects of Buddhism.
Jethawanaramaya of Anuradhapura Kingdom
The ancient city of Anuradhapura is a UNESCO world heritage site and has several magnificent monuments which includes some of the tallest structures of ancient world: Jetavanaramaya Dagoba, Ruwanwelisaya Dagoba and Abhayagiri Dagoba. The first 2 are close to each other while the third one is around 5km away from them. A Buddhist stupa is known as Dagoba in Sri Lanka and it contains the holy relics of Buddha. Jethawanaramaya has a part of belt worn by Buddha.
It was built as a result of the rising rivalry between the 2 sects prominent sects of Buddhism. The King Mahasena was loyal to Theravada sect and he ransacked the monastery of Mahayana sect. After plenty of negotiations with his minister Meghavannabhaya who led a rebellion, the King apologized and agreed to construct Jetavanaramaya Dagoba for the Mahayana sect.
During the reign of King Gothabhaya (253-266 AC) a disagreement took place between the theras of Maha Vihara Monastery and the Abhayagiri Monastery regarding a certain doctrine. The King Gothabhaya took the side of the Maha Vihara and took severe measures against the theras of the Abhayagiri Monastery. During this time the theras of this monastery had to seek sanctuary in India.
One of the disciples of the banished theras called Sangamitta thero decided to avenge the bikkus of Mahavihara. He came back to Sri Lanka and gained the favour of king Gothabhaya (253-266 AC) and was entrusted to teach his two sons prince Mahasena and Prince Jetthatissa. After their father’s death, the elder son prince Jetthatissa who was a supporter of the Mahavihara theras became the king and reigned for 10 years (266-276 AC).
In 276 Mahasena (276-303 AC) succeeded to the throne and the thera Sangamitta immediately came back to the island. He persuaded the king that the Mahaviharians laxed discipline and the theras of Abhayagiri vihara preached the true doctrine of the Buddha. He also persuaded the king to order prohibition of giving arms to the Mahaviharians and they were forced to retreat to the hills and Rohana.
However this act brought a great and disastrous civil war and the thera Sangamitta was killed by the queen of the king. Later the king bowing down to public pressure restored the Maha Vihara buildings and ruled for 27 years.
Jethawana Stupa is the largest stupa in the Sri Lanka. It was originally 400 feet (122 meters) in height and was the third tallest building in the world at that time. Even today as a brick monument, Jethawanaramaya still remains the tallest of its kind in the world.
Jethawanaramaya was built by King Mahasena of Anuradhapura (276-303 AC) was completed by his son Sirimeghavanna. It is believed that this monument was built upon the enclosure where Mahinda Maha Thero was cremated. Recent excavation in the stupa has unearthed a one meter thick brick wall adjacent to a layer of ash and charcoal. This is believed to be the chamber where the remains of the great thero rest.
As all other buildings in Anuradhapura this too was subjected to destruction by North Indian Invaders. Then when the Anuradhapura was finally abandoned as the capital in the 11th century this stupa with others were covered by the jungle. King Parakramabahu (12th century) in the Pollonaruwa era again tried to renovate this stupa and it was rebuilt to the current height, a reduction from the original height. Today it stands at 232 feet (71 meters) .
Today this stupa is going through a painful and slow conservation to bring it to its ancient glory. Even today you can see massive trees which have come up on the stupa itself on the sides where reconstruction has not started.
This dagoba is also one of the largest brick structures in the world and was the tallest stupa of the world until Phra Pathommachedi was built in 1870. Around 93 million bricks were used to build this structure. There were no visitors at the dagoba and hence the area was very serene whereas devotees thronged at the nearby Ruwanwelisaya Dagoba and were enthusiastically decorating it.
Recommended length of visit is 30-60 minutes and also be aware of the troop of monkeys stationed here. Carry plenty of water and sunblock as the heat can be very tiring.