Ruwanwali Maha Seya

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Build by King Dutugemunu, a devout Buddhist the benevolent ruler of the country in 137 BC, the Stupa is also known as Swarnamali Seya, Ratnamali Chetiya and the Maha Thupa. The name denotes 'sand of gems' probably owing to a large extent of invaluable gems, gold, pearls and silver contained in the stupa. Apart from its material treasures Swarnamali Chetiya is venerated and has  become a pinnacle for Buddhists all round the world as it contains the largest portion of relics from the pyre of the sacred body of the Buddha. According to the ancient chronicle Dhatuwamsa, one eighth of the whole-body-relics of the Buddha has been deposited in the stupa making it one of the treasured places of worship for Buddhists. The largest stupa build for the first time in the ancient world being 300ft in height and with a diameter of 370ft is indeed a testimony to ancient Sri Lanka architectural prowess fused with devotion. Encompassing excellent stupa is a tribute to the thoughtfulness of its creator and the Enlightened one who conquered the truth. 




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