The Ruwanwelisaya (Ruwanweliseya Stupa or Ruwanveli Seya Stupa) is a Stupa in Anuradhapura District in North Central Province of Sri Lanka, considered a marvel for its architectural qualities and sacred to many Buddhists all over the World. It was built by the great King Dutugemunu (164 BC – 140 BC), who became lord of all Sri Lanka after a war in which the Chola King Elara, was defeated. The Mahathupa or Ruwanweliseya is known by several other names as well. It is also called Maha Stupa / Mahathupa (the great Dagoba), Rathnamali Stupa / Rathnamali Dagaba, Suvarnamali Mahaceti (in Pali) and Swarnamali Stupa / Swarnamali Chaitya has been the most adored, most venerated among the great ancient Stupas (Dagobas) of Sri Lanka. The name Mahaseya or Mahathupa (the Great Tope) was used in the Golden Age of Anuradhapura. Ruwanweliseya Stupa is one of the “Solosmasthana”, the 16 sacred religious locations in Sri Lanka and the "Atamasthana".
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The Stupa is considered as highly sacred due to several factors.
Sri Lanka's City of Anuradhapura is host to many monumental structures such as Stupas. Those contribute to Sri Lanka being unique, as host to so many Stupas from ancient times.
The story of the Ruwanweliseya Stupa, the most venerated and mighty Dagaba at Anuradhapura, which is said to be larger-than the third pyramid at Gizza in Egypt
The tradition set upon in Sri Lanka by King Dutugamunu, inspired his successors, in the centuries to come. The great stupas would be built and the older stupas would be renovated
The sourcing of materials and their nature is a marvel. A. Denis N. Fernando refers to the Mahavamsa's Chapter XXVIII as The first recorded mineral survey.
The terms Chaitya, Cetiya, Thupa, Stupa and Seya refer to the type of structure in Pali, Sanskrit and Sinhalese languages and absorbed into English,
This presently existing 2nd Century B.C. work of architecture has been recorded copiously in writing several centuries ago. The building of these structures have been recorded in
As customs, various kinds of offerings are held at the Ruwanweliseya Stupa for paying homage & get blessings for the Country.
Ruwanweliseya Temple, Abhayawewa Road, Anuradhapura, Sri Lanka.
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