Lankaramaya in Anuradhapura Kingdom – ලංකාරාමය

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Lankaramaya is a very ancient monastery of the ancient capital of Anuradhapura. Of the history of the monastery, next to nothing appears to be known, and that little is very indefinite. Captain Chapman, in a paper published in the Journal of the Royal Asiatic Society for 1851-2, states that “it was erected by king Abha Sen, or Tissa, whose reign commenced A.D. 231” ; and Major Forbes, in his work entitled Eleven years in Ceylon, says it “was erected in the reign of Mahasen, between A.D. 276 and 303”. No reliance can, however, be placed on either of these statements, as, besides being at variance, they are unsupported by evidence of their accuracy (Smither and Wikramagamage, 1993).

According Anuradha Seneviratna, this stupa has been built on the 1st century BC by King Vattagamini Abaya (Walagamba). The ancient name of this temple is “Silasobbha Khandaka Cetiya”. After the defeat by the Tamil invaders on the same year he came to the throne king Walagamba (103 BC) has hidden in a place called “Silasobbha Khandaka” and after defeating the Tamils and regaining the throne he has built this stupa by the same name (Seneviratna,1994).

Lankaramaya seems to have had another name in the past. It is possible this was the Manisomaramaya named in honor of Queen Somadevi of Vattagamini Abaya. History records king Kanitta Tissa (164-192) added to it a great Parivena as well as a cetiyaghara (vatadage) and later king Gotabhaya (253-266) restored the Vatadage and uposthaghara. Manisomaramaya is considered the Bhikkuni Aramaya of Abhayagri Viharaya alike Thuparamaya was the Bhikkuni Aramaya of Maha Viahraya (Seneviratna,1994).

Although not mentioned in the list of these restored buildings given in the Mahavamsa, there is good reason for the conclusion that an ancient and very sacred stupa previously existed on the spot, as according to an old tradition-to which expression has been given a comparatively modern work called Heladiv Rajaniya (published 1853 by John Perera), the Lankaramaya is the shrine of some corporeal relics of Buddha himself, consisting of three small pieces of his bones. “These relics” (it says) “are known by the following sacred names; “mumpiyali“, “kada hal“, and “aba“. The first is about the size of a half green gram, and shines like gold; the second is white and shines like a pearl; and the third, which is also white, is shaped like a jessamine-flower, and has the perfume of that flower: these were enclosed in a golden case. The original stupa enshrining these relics was, most probably, of very small dimensions; its present size having been attained by successive encasements, according to the common practice in early times (Smither and Wikramagamage, 1993).

From the close resemblance which the Lankarama bears to the Thuparama which is the first stupa built after Buddhism was brought to the country in the 250 BC there can be little doubt, if any, that it was built at the same early period. Moreover, from its position amongst the most sacred of all the stupas, it may reasonably be inferred that it equaled them in religious importance (Smither and Wikramagamage, 1993).

The circumference of the stupa as at today is 36.5 meters. The stupa lies on a 10 feet high circular platform having a circumference of 126 meters. There are stairways from all four side to reach the terrace of the stupa. There have been 4 vahalkada’s at these entrances which are now lost. There is a stone tub by the eastern stairway which has been used to wash the feet before entering the terrace of the stupa. Among thr old ruins there are few damaged Buddha statues as well (Seneviratna,1994).

This stupa has had a magnificent vatadage surrounding the stupa. Today only few of the slender and elegant monoliths remain up right today. However the photos from the early nineteenth century (see below) show a forest of pillars standing upright surrounding the dilapidated stupa.

There are indications of 88 stone pillars in 3 concentric circles with 20, 28 and 30 pillars respectively have supported the roof of the vatadage. The pillar capitals are carved with exquisite lion and goose designs. There is a fine stone waterpipe, cut in the shape of a mythical beast, near the south-east. side of the dagoba (Burrows. 1894).

The best of this vatadage architecture can bee seen in Madirigiriya.

Photos before restoration from www.imagesofceylon.com

References

1. H.E. Weerasooriya, 1939. Historical guide to Anuradhapura’s ruins. Colombo: W.E. Bastian.
2. Seneviratna, A., 1994. Ancient Anuradhapura. 1st ed. Colombo: Archaeological Survey Department, Sri Lanka, pp 178-180.
3. Burrows, S., 1894. The buried cities of Ceylon : A Guidebook for Anuradhapura and Polonnaruwa with Chapters on Dambulla, Kalawewa, Mihintale and Sigiri. 2nd ed. Colombo: J. Ferguson, pp.65-67.
4. 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.19-24.
5. Wikramagamage, C., 2004. Heritage of Rajarata: Major natural, cultural, and historic sites. Colombo. Central Bank of Sri Lanka. p.106.
6. Fergusson, J., Burgess, J. and Spiers, P., 1910. History of Indian and Eastern Architecture Vol 1. 2nd ed. London: John Murray, pp.235-237.

Also See

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

• Anuradhapura – The city of the God Kings

Map of Lankaramaya at Anuradhapura Kingdom

Driving Directions to Anuradhapura Kingdom

Anuradhapura 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 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).