Rankot Vehera of Ancient Polonnaruwa Kingdom

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Rankot Vehera—also known as the Rankot Dagaba or Golden Spire—is the largest completed stupa in the ancient kingdom of Polonnaruwa. Located on the southern edge of the Alahana Parivena monastic complex, it stands as a remarkable example of 12th-century engineering and religious architecture.

Origin

The construction of Rankot Vehera is traditionally attributed to the reign of Parakramabahu I (1153–1186 CE), with historical sources linking its foundation to his second queen (Bell, 1914; Burrows, 1885/1894). The monument was later enlarged, embellished, and restored by Nissanka Malla (1187–1196 CE), who is credited with bestowing the name Rankot after crowning it with a golden pinnacle (rankota).

Inscriptions at the site indicate that Nissanka Malla personally supervised the construction, reportedly seated on a nearby stone throne. Historically, the stupa was also referred to as Ruvanveli or Ratanavali-cetiya, reflecting its intended status as the Polonnaruwa counterpart to the महान Ruwanweliseya (Bell, 1914; Paranavitana, 1948/1950).

Architecture and Dimensions

Rankot Vehera exemplifies the bubbulakara (hemispherical or bubble-shaped) stupa form, characterized by its Huge dome and symmetrical composition.

The monument rises to a height estimated between 50 m (165 ft) and 61 m (200 ft), making it the tallest stupa in Polonnaruwa. The circumference at the base of the maluwa measures approximately 168–170 m (550–558 ft) (Bell, 1914; Paranavitana, 1948/1950).

Constructed entirely of brick, the stupa departs from earlier Anuradhapura traditions that utilized stone facings, employing stone only for limited decorative elements. It is set within a square terrace measuring about 170 m (558 ft) on each side, which is further enclosed by a 18 m (60 ft) wide valimaluwa (sand terrace) (Bell, 1914).

Four massive vahalkadas (frontispieces) project from the cardinal directions. These structures contain deep recesses with standing figures in attitudes of worship, believed to represent guardian deities of the four quarters. Encircling the base are eight small shrines with conical roofs. Between each pair stand larger ornamental structures, likely intended to house images or relics (Bell, 1914).

Upper Structure

The square hatares kotuwa measures approximately 12.5 m (41 ft) in width and features a prominent lotus medallion about 2.1 m (6 ft 10 in) in diameter. Above this is the circular devata kotuwa, adorned with eight sculpted relief figures representing deities. The pinnacle (kota) rises to a height of about 9.5 m (31 ft 3 in) and consists of 24 concentric rings, forming the crowning feature of the stupa (Bell, 1914).

Folklore and Symbolism

The designation Golden Spire derives from the tradition that Nissanka Malla installed a golden umbrella or pinnacle at the summit. Popular belief suggests that the surrounding shrines and image houses reflect the influence of the Mahasanghika sect (Wikramagamage, 2004).

Archaeological studies have revealed that the core of the dome contains a solid cubic structure, possibly used as an internal support system to facilitate the lifting and placement of building materials during construction (Prematilleke, 1990).

A well preserved Vahalkada at the Rankot Vehera - Polonnaruwa Kingdom

A ruined image house which featured a reclining Buddha statue at Rankot Vehera - Polonnaruwa Kingdom

A granite window frame of the ruined image house which featured a reclining Buddha statue at Rankot Vehera - Polonnaruwa Kingdom

The remains of the reclining Buddha statue in the ruined image house at Rankot Vehera - Polonnaruwa Kingdom

Ruins of image houses around the Rankot Vehera - Polonnaruwa Kingdom

References

Bell, H. C. P. (1914). Archaeological Survey of Ceylon: North-central, Central, North-western, and Western Provinces : Annual Report 1910-1911. H. R. Cottle, Government Printer of Ceylon.
Burrows, S. M. (1894). The Buried Cities of Ceylon: A Guide Book to Anuradhapura and Polonnaruwa : with Chapters on Dambulla, Kalawewa, Mihintale, and Sigiri (2nd ed.). A.M. & J. Ferguson. (Original work published 1885)
Paranavitana, S. (1950). Guide to Polonnaruwa (3rd ed.). Government Press. (Original work published 1948)
Prematilleka, L. (2007). The Art and Archaeology of Sri Lanka I: Archaeology, Architecture, Sculpture. Central Cultural Fund.
Prematilleke, P. L. (1990). The Architecture of the Polonnaruwa Period B.C. 800 – 1200 A.D. In N. De Silva (Ed.), Archaeological Department Centenary (1890-1990) : Commemorative Series : Volume Three : Achitechture (1st ed., Vols. 3–4, pp. 35–70). Department of Archaeology, Sri Lanka.
Wikramagamage, C. (2004). Heritage of Rajarata: Major Natural, Cultural and Historic Sites (1st ed.). Rajarata Development Bank and Central Bank of Sri Lanka.

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Map of Rankot Vehera at Ancient Capital of Polonnaruwa

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Driving Directions to Polonnaruwa Sacred City

The modern town of Polonnaruwa is also known as New Town, and the other part of Polonnaruwa remains the ancient royal city of the Kingdom of Polonnaruwa.

Route from Colombo to Polonnaruwa Sacred City	Route from Kandy to Polonnaruwa Sacred City
Through: Central Highway—Kurunegala—Dambulla Distance from Colombo: 230 km Travel Time: 5 hours Driving Directions: See on Google Maps.	Through: Maradankadawala–Habarana Distance: 103 km Travel Time: 2 hours Driving Directions: see on Google Maps.
Route from Anuradhapura to Polonnaruwa Sacred City	Route from Batticaloa to Polonnaruwa Sacred City
Through: Maradankadawala–Habarana Distance: 103 km Travel Time: 2 hours Driving Directions: See on Google Maps.	Through: Maradankadawala–Habarana Distance: 103 km Travel Time : 2 hours Driving Directions: see on Google Maps.