Ruwanweli Maha Saya

The Ruwanweli Maha Seya, also known as the Maha Thupa (), is a stupa (a hemispherical structure containing relics) in Anuradhapura, Sri Lanka. Two quarts or one Dona of the Buddha's relics are enshrined in the stupa, making it the largest collection of his relics anywhere. It was built by Sinhalese King Dutugemunu in 140 B.C., who became king of Sri Lanka after a war in which the Chola King Elāra (Ellalan) was defeated. It is also known as Swarnamali Seya, Svaṇṇamāli Mahaceti (in Pali) and Rathnamali Seya.

Key facts

Buddhist temple.name: Ruwanweli Maha Seya
Buddhist temple.native_name: රුවන්වැලි මහා සෑය
Buddhist temple.image: SL Anuradhapura asv2020-01 img11 Ruwanwelisaya Stupa.jpg
Buddhist temple.caption: The Ruwanwelisaya Stupa
Buddhist temple.map_type: Sri Lanka
Buddhist temple.map_caption: Location in Sri Lanka
Buddhist temple.location: Anuradhapura, Sri Lanka
Buddhist temple.religious_affiliation: Buddhism
Buddhist temple.country: Sri Lanka
Buddhist temple.website: https://www.facebook.com/RuwanweliMahaSeya
Buddhist temple.founded_by: King Dutugamunu
Buddhist temple.year_completed

Article

6 sections

Contents

Buddha’s Relic
History
Images
See also
References
Bibliography

This is one of the "Solosmasthana" (the 16 places of veneration) and the "Atamasthana" (the 8 places of veneration). The stupa is one of the world's tallest ancient monuments, standing at and with a circumference of . The original stupa had been about in height and was renovated by many kings. The Kaunghmudaw Pagoda in Sagaing, Myanmar is modelled after this stupa The Mahavamsa contains a detailed account on the construction and the opening ceremony of the stupa.