Neelagiri Maha Seya
away from the Stupa is a rock which supplied stone pillars
to the complex. Here you can see the techniques of the ancient
sri lankan's managed to tame the boulders to shapes of
their needs.
image source : lankadeepa.lk
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Neelagiri Maha Seya is the largest Buddhist Stupa in the Eastern Province.
The stupa, located in the
Lahugala Forest Reserve
has been neglected
for over 30 years due to the LTTE Terrorist activities in the
area. The stupa is believed to be build by King Kawantissa (3rd
Centaury BC) or King Bhatikabaya (20 BC-9
AC) and has been renovated on the 7th centaury. This massive
stupa has a circumference of 629 feet (192 metres) and 72 feet (22 metres)
high in the current status. This has been called "Uttara Seevali Pabbata
Viharaya' in the ancient times.
first rock inscription found during excavations
image source : lankadeepa.lk
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Attempts have been made to restore the stupa during 1979 - 1984 period
but due the tamil terrorist activity in the area it has been abandoned.
After the terrorists were crushed, the restoration of this stupa
was initiated again in 2011. During this work, two previously
unknown inscriptions have been found. One belongs to the 1st
centaury which describe a donation by the Maharaajinee Chula Sivalee
Queen (මහාරාජිනී චූල සිවලී දේවි), daughter of the King Bhatikabaya (20
BC-9 AC). Bhatikabaya also was the sub king
in the Ruhuna when Kutakanna Tissa (42-20 BC)
was ruling the country. It is believed that Chula Sivalee
Queen is the same
queen who ruled
the country for few months in 34 AC.
The second inscription states about the donations made by king Jettatissa
I (266-276).
During the excavations the teams have found remains of an ancient aramic
complex surrounding this stupa spreading across 36 hectares (
89 acres). They have also exposed recovered an golden casket in
stupa among may items found from the excavations.
Created : February 4, 2011
Updated :
February 10, 2012
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