Sandahiru Seya is the largest dagoba built in Sri Lanka after the construction of the Jethavanaramaya in Anuradhapura by King Mahasen in AD 301. The pagoda’s structural completion was carried out with the support of hundreds of Army, Navy, Air Force, Police and Civil Defence Force and clergy.
The stupa is 86.1 m (282.5 ft) high and 240 metres (800 ft) in circumference. Stupa houses the sacred relics including the Kapilavastu relics. The height of the Crest Gem placed in the dagoba is 1.1 m (3.5 ft). There are 1895 gemstones, inlaid with gold as well as pearls.
Construction of the “Sanda Hiru Seya ” commenced on 22.11.2010 and the relics were placed on 22.11.2014.
The “Sanda Hiru Seya” was built under the guidance of the then Defence Secretary and the current President Gotabaya Rajapaksa according to a concept by the Fifth Executive President, the current Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa, to commemorate the war heroes who sacrificed their lives for the unity of the motherland, to invoke blessings on the disabled war heroes and to mark the end of the Thirty Years’ War.
The Sanda Hiru Seya, which is 282.6 feet high from the ‘Salapathala Maluwa’ has a circumference of 800 feet. This Bubble Shape pagoda houses the sacred relics including the Sacred Kapilavastu Relics. The height of the pinnacle (Chuda Manikyaya) placed in the Pagoda is 3 feet 6 inches. The new pinnacle (Chuda Manikyaya) is made out of 1,895 gemstones, gold as well as pearls.
The religious ceremony to unveil the “Sanda Hiru Seya” in Anuradhapura was held under the patronage of President Gotabaya Rajapaksa and the Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa, 18 November 2021.
The President and the Prime Minister unveiled the plaque and the pinnacle of the “Sanda Hiru Seya” amidst the Jaya Pirith chanting, Deva Aradhana and sounds of Hewisi.
The Maha Sangha and the Chief Guests offered flowers and incense to the Buddha statue located at the main Wahalkada and at the shrine room in the temple.
The President placed the jewelleries in the casket of the sacred relics and declared open the ‘Dolosmahe Pahana’ . President Rajapaksa also offered “Sanda Hiru Seya” to the Buddha Sasana and also commenced the Viduli Aloka Pooja (Illumination with electricity) for the Stupa.
The first Gilanpasa Pooja for the “Sanda Hiru Seya”, the presentation of the book on the history of the “Sanda Hiru Seya” and the launch of the song took place on this occasion.
The Anunayake of the Malwathu Chapter, Most Ven. Dr. Niyangoda Vijithasiri Thero and the Anunayake of the Asgiriya Chapter, Most Venerable Wendaruwe Upali Thero delivering special sermons stated that “Sanda Hiru Seya” would be unveiled to the world as a great deed done in appreciation of the service rendered by the war heroes.