Ruwanweli Maha Seya – රුවන්වැලි මහා සෑය

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Ruwanweli maha Seya was built by the great king Dutugamunu who reigned from 137BC to 119BC from Anuradhapura. Next to Sri Maha Bodhi, Ruwanweli Seya temple is the most venerated Buddhist site in Anuradhapura.

After the defeat of Elara, the South Indian invader and bringing the whole country under one rule by the great warrior king Dutugemunu, building of Ruwanweli Seya has been given the most prominence in most ancient texts in Sri Lanka.

The original stupa has been about 180 feet (55 metres) in height and had been expanded and renovated by many kings thereafter. The stupa is 350 feet (107 metres) in height and 300 feet (92 metres) in diameter today.

According to Mahavamsa, the great chronicle of Sri Lanka,  the preparation for the foundation for the stupa is described as follows;

….The ruler had the site of the stupa dug to the depth of seven cubits (about 17 ½ feet) …….round stones brought by warriors and had them broken by small hammers , then for the sake of firmness of the site he had the crushed stones stamped by elephants with feet covered in leather. He had butter clay laid over the stones and bricks over the clay. …. Rough plaster over it, quarts over that, a network of iron over that, and above that fragrant “marumba”.

The king had crystal spread over that and over the crystal stones. Everywhere in the work was the clay called butter clay with the resin of wood apple mixed with mercury. A bronze plate, eight finger breadths thick was laid over the stones. A silver plate seven finger breadths thick was laid over it with arsenic mixed in the oil of sesame.
Mahavamsa – The Great Chronicle of Sri Lanka

Pathway from Ruwanveli Seya to the Sri Maha Bodhi

Ruins at Ruwanveli Seya

Stone Statue of Queen Viharamaha Devi – mother of King Dutugemunu

Another statue near the stupa

Stone Statue of King Dutugemunu

Ruwanweli Seya Stupa

Buddhist monks meditating under the Ruwanweli Seya Stupa

Buddhist monks meditating under the Ruwanweli Seya Stupa

Granite carved flower alter at Ruwanweli Seya Maha Stupa

size distorted by the perspective of a smaller parivara stupa at Ruwanweli Seya Maha Stupa

Many rocks of the Salapathala Maluwa of Ruwanweli Seya shows various carvings and inscriptions.

A Wahalkada of the Ruwanweli Seya

Seven hooded Naga guarding the Ruwanweli Seya stupa at the entrance

Seven hooded Naga guarding the Ruwanweli Seya stupa at the entrance

A smaller parivara stupa along with the Ruwanweli Seya Maha Stupa

King Dutugamunu didn’t live to see the completion of this massive stupa. When the king fell ill, he sent his brother to complete the work of the stupa. On King Dutugamunu’s death bed he wanted to see this stupa and his brother covered the whole dome in white cloth and constructed the upper portion of the stupa in bamboo and painter it in imitation gold and carried the king to the stupa to show the “competed” stupa. After the kings death the Saddhatissa finished the remaining work.

Around this stupa you will also see statues made out of granite of King Dutugamunu, Queen Vihara Mahadevi (Mother of king Dutugamunu) and King Bhathika Tissa of 2nd Century.

Photos before restoration from www.imagesofceylon.com

Also See

• Anuradhapura – The city of the God Kings
• Ruwanweli  Maha Seya – The Work Behind the Worship
• The Mystery of Mahathupa
• Mihintale – The cradle of Buddhism in Sri Lanka
• Ancient Heritage Sites of Sri Lanka
• Other Places of Interest Within 25 kilometers

Map of Ruwanweliseya Stupa

Driving Directions to Ruwanweli Maha Seya (Anuradhapura)

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