Abhayagiri Stupa at Anuradhapura (අභයගිරි ස්තුපය)

RATE THIS LOCATION :1 Star2 Stars3 Stars4 Stars5 Stars (17 votes, average: 4.24 out of 5)
Loading...

Abhayagiri Stupa belongs to the aramic complex of Abhayagiriya Viharaya, which was constructed during the reign of King Vattagamini Abaya (commonly known as King Valagamba) in the 1st century BCE.

Today, the main attraction of this aramic complex is the massive Abhayagiri Stupa, which stands at 74.98 meters to the tip of the damaged spire. It is the second-largest stupa on the island today. According to the 5th-century traveller Chinese monk Fa-Hsien’s descriptions, this stupa was 400 feet (122 meters) in height and was decorated with gold and silver and studded with all kinds of jewels. There has also been a 20-foot (6.1-meter) high Buddha statue made out of green jade.

This monument carries special importance in ancient Sri Lankan stupas as the top portions of the original stupa (known as the “hatharas kotuwa”) still survive after thousands of years of negligence, giving a glimpse of what it would have looked like a thousand years ago.

The British erroneously identified Jethawanaramaya as Abhayagiriya between 1873 AC and 1874 AC (Seneviratna, 1994). Therefore, when older documents are referred to, this fact needs to be kept in mind.

Today there is a massive effort by the archeological department to restore this stupa to its original glory without destroying the archeological value. The work has been painstakingly slow due to the lack of funds. As you can see in the pictures, the stupa is still covered by grass and trees growing on it which is more like a mound of earth.

The story of the birth of this aramic complex is very interesting. According to the chronicles, soon after the king Vattagamini Abaya ascended to the throne in 104 BC, a Tamil invasion took place.

The new king unable to withstand the attack, was retreating from the capital. At this time a Jain monk was residing in the area where Abhayagiri stands today. When the king was passing this area the Jain monk named “Geri” shouted insultingly “Lo the great black Sinhala king is in flight”.

The king ignored this comment, but when he came back to Anuradhapura after 14 years after defeating the invaders, he had not forgotten this incident. The king razed this hermitage to the ground, built a massive stupa and 12 buildings, and offered it to Mahathissa Thero. The stupa was named by coining the two rival names “Abaya” (the king’s name) and “Geri” (the Jain monk)—the “Abayagiri”. Later, this vihara became a rival to Mahavihara. Mahaviharians were followers of pure “Theravada Buddhism,” and the priests at the Abayagiri were open to more ideas and followed the principles of both Theravada and Mahayana teachings.

Ivers reports that in 1877, extensive digging of a shaft was done with the permission of the Anunayake Unnanse in search of books that were said to be deposited inside the relic chambers. A tunnel was dug 33 feet above the salapathala maluwa for a length of 54 yards towards the centre of the stupa. Thereafter, a vertical shaft had been dug even below the Salapathala Maluwa, 43 feet, 3 inches deep. However, no significant relics had been discovered. The stones, beads, shells, etc., found in the course of the excavation had been replaced by the Anunayaka Unnanse, and the tunnel had been closed with brickwork. (Ivers, 1899)

The stupa is approximately 1150 feet (350 meters) in circumference, and its original height was 400 feet (122 meters), according to the records made by the Chinese monk Fa-Hsien. This gigantic, solid work of bricks had been plastered with a thick coating of lime mortar. There were still parts of this plaster to be seen over the Dagaba at certain spots when it was discovered. This Dagaba has an extensive square, Salapatala Maluwa, which is 600 feet by 600 feet (183 by 183 meters). This raised ground laid with slabs is enclosed by a half wall on all sides. There has been a rampart around the Weli Maluwa that adjoins the platform, and the width of this compound is 50 feet (15.2 meters). There are four entrances where guard houses have been put up, through which the pilgrims and visitors have to gain admission into the sacred premises. The entrance on the west leads directly to Ruwanweli Dagaba. (Harischandra, 1908).

References

  1. Seneviratna, A., 1994. Ancient Anuradhapura. 1st ed. Colombo: Archaeological Survey Department, Sri Lanka., pp 162-164
  2. Devendra, D.T., 1952. Guide to Anuradhapura. 2nd ed. Colombo: [Govt. Press], pp.31-33.
  3. Harischandra B.W., 1908. The Sacred City of Anuradhapura. With Forty-six Illustrations. 1st ed. Colombo: Brahmachari Walisingha Harischandra, pp.53-57.
  4. Ievers, R.W., 1899. Manual of the North-Central Province, Ceylon. Colombo: G.J.A. Skeen, Govt. Printer.
  5. Wikramagamage, C., 2004. Heritage of Rajarata: Major natural, cultural, and historic sites. Colombo. Central Bank of Sri Lanka. pp.95-97.
  6. Smither, J. and Wikramagamage, C., 1993. Architectural Remains, Anurádhapura, Ceylon; comprising the dágabas and certain other ancient ruined structures. Measured, drawn and described by J.G. Smither. 2nd ed. (revised) Colombo: Academy of Sri Lankan Culture, pp.60-67.

Also See

Photos before restoration from www.imagesofceylon.com

Map of Abhayagiri Stupa

Please click on the button below to load the Dynamic Google Map (ගූගල් සිතියම් පහලින්)
.

The map above also shows other places of interest within a approximately 20 km radius of the current site. Click on any of the markers and the info box to take you to information of these sites

Zoom out the map to see more surrounding locations using the mouse scroll wheel or map controls.

Driving Directions to Abhayagiriya (Anuradhapura)

Anuradhapura can be reached through many routes from Colombo. The two main routes are through Puttalam (Puttalama) and through Kurunegala. Travelling from Puttalam, you will pass the scenic Wilpattu area. From Kurunegala, there are two main routes to Anuradhapura. The most common route is through Dambulla. The other route is through Galgamuwa. Out of all the routes, the most commonly used is the Kurunegala-Dambulla route (Route 2).

Route 01 from Colombo to AnuradhapuraRoute 02 from Colombo to Anuradhapura
Through : Negombo – Chilaw – Puttalam
Distance from Colombo : 210 km
Travel time : 4.30- 5.00 hours
Driving Directions : see on Google map
Through : Katunayake Expressway – Central Expressway – Kurunegala – Dambulla
Distance from Colombo : 223 km
Travel Time : 4.30- 5.00 hours
Driving Directions : see on Google maps
Route 03 from Colombo to AnuradhapuraRoute from Kandy to Anuradhapura
Through : Katunayake Expressway – Narammala – Wariyapola – Padeniya – Thambuthegama
Distance from Colombo :203 km
Travel Time : 4.30- 5.00 hours
Driving Directions : see on Google map
Through : Katugastota – Matale – Dambulla
Distance from Colombo :136 km
Travel Time : 3.5 hours
Driving Directions : see on Google map

© www.amazinglanka.com

Leave a Reply