Ambastala Dagaba (Sela Chethiya) and the Vatadage – අම්බස්තල දාගැබ

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Climbing up the 1,840 steps of the ancient monastery of Mihintale, this is the first relic which comes to view once you reach the upper terrace of Mihintale Complex.  Ambastala Dagaba (also called Sela Chethiya) believed to be built by  by King Mahadatika Mahanaga (09-21 AC) on the exact place where the great Mahinda Thero met the King Devanampiyatissa.

The place where the Sela Chethiya would be built in future is the last place mentioned in Mahawansa which the Buddha visited on his 3rd visit to Sri Lanka and is in the 15th place of the Solosmasthana.  According to the chronicles this stupa was built enshrining the Buddhas hair relic between the eye brows ( called Urna Roma).

This stupa has been converted to a Vatadage style stupa in the 2nd or 3rd century and most of the pillars where the wooden roof stood upon.

A detail description of the overall “Stupaghara” or “Chethiyaghara” architecture including vatadages of Sri Lanka can be found here.

Also See

• Ancient Heritage Sites of Sri Lanka
• Other Places of Interest Within Close Proximity

• Mihintale – The Cradle of Buddhism
• Anuradhapura – The city of the God Kings
• Solosmasthana – The Sixteen Buddhist Sacred Sites hollowed by Buddha

Map of the Ambastala Dagaba and the Vatadage

Driving Directions to Ambastala Dagaba and the Vatadage

Mihintale can be reached through many routes from Colombo. The two main routes are through Puttalam (Puttalama) and though Kurunegala. Traveling from Puttalam you will pass scenic Wilpattu area. the From Kurunegala there are two main routes to Mihintale. 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).