Visit the most venerated and well-known stupa in Sri Lanka - Ruwanweli Maha Seya
A gem of Sri Lankan culture and heritage along with the famous Sri Maha Bodhi, Ruwanweli Maha Seya is one of the oldest and most venerated Buddhist sites in Anuradhapura, which enshrines eight of the relics of Lord Buddha. This stupa was built by the great king Dutugemunu, who became the King of all Sri Lanka from 137 BC to 119 BC, with a massive hemispherical structure, and known by many names such as the Mahathupa, Suvarnamali Mahaceti, Swarnamali Chaitya, and Rathnamali Dagaba. It was also considered one of the largest monuments in the ancient world, standing at 103 m tall with a circumference of 290 m. After the ruin in the 19th century, the stupa was renovated in the early 20th century and soon became a sacred place to many Buddhists all over the world. Inside the structure you will see statues of the Buddha, King Dutugemunu, Queen Vihara Mahadevi, and King Bhathika Tissa. If you visit Ruwanweli Maha Seya during the full moon poya days, it’s the best time to witness the stupa brimming with flowers, talismans and scented air.
