Ruwanwelisaya Stupa

Anuradhapura, Sri Lanka

The ancient and sacred city of Anuradhapura in the North Central Province of Sri Lanka is famous for its well-preserved ruins of early Sri Lankan civilization. It was the center of Theravada Buddhism for many centuries and believed to be the capital of Sinhalese, an ethnic group that constitutes 75% of Sri Lankan population.

A UNESCO World Heritage Site, Anuradhapura is considered as sacred site in Buddhism. Today, the ancient city is surrounded by monasteries, temples and stupas including Ruwanwelisaya Dagoba, the Great Stupa!

Built by Sinhalese King Dutugemunu in 140 BC, Ruwanwelisaya Dagoba is one of the world’s tallest stupas at 338 feet. It is also one of the Solosmasthana (the 16 places of veneration) and the Atamasthana (the 8 places of veneration in the ancient sacred city of Anuradhapura). It is massive and marvelous, and many consider this site as the most revered stupa in all of Anuradhapura.