Sri Lanka Holidays

Golden Sand Stupa (Ruwan Weli Seya) (144 BC), Anuradhapura

Sri Lanka Culture Holidays: the concept - Part 3 - Stupa
Triple Pillars of Sri Lanka: ancient rainwater reservoirs, Buddhist temples & Buddhist stupas

From Rainwater reservoir to temple & then to dagoba.
While Sri Lanka's irrigation network formed the basis for a thriving economy with a large agricultural surplus that sustained a vibrant Aryan Sinhalese civilization, Buddhism gave that civilization dignity and elegance. It inspired the architectural and sculptural splendours of ancient Sri Lanka. Anuradhapura and Polonnaruwa were transformed into bejeweled testaments to the wealth and refinement of Sri Lanka's ancient Aryan Sinhalese Buddhist civilization.

Anuradhapura awed visitors with its magnificent stupas. The stupa or dagaba, an architectural innovation imported from northern India usually enshrined sacred relics of Buddha and other celebrated illuminati of early Buddhism. That makes them objects of veneration even today. These solid hemispherical domes provided a subdued but effective expression of the quintessence of Buddhism. In spite of the imposing size of the stupas, they blend simplicity with serenity.

To house the relics of the Buddha & the Arahat disciples, stupas were built. And why shouldn't we commence with the crowning achievement of the most illustrious kings of Lanka, the great benefactors of Lanka, the hero of the nation, King Dutugamunu of Ruhuna (161-137 BC). Standing at 300 feet, the wondrous Stupa, Ruwan weli seya (meaning Golden Sand Stupa in Sinhalese) at Anuradhapura of north-central Sri Lanka is one of the world's major archaeological sites.

Stone tablet laid courtyard.
Through one of the frontpieces (Vahalkadas), we enter into the stone tablet laid courtyard (Salapatala). We take few steps down to arrive at the compound made of Sand (Valimaluwa). On the four sides of the compound are whitewashed perimeter parapet walls with an army of 1900 life size sculpted elephants in low relief, now renovated, standing ear to ear are 475 elephants on each side. Elephant, recorded association with which dates back to 1st century BC on an inscription at Navalarkulama in Panampattu in the East of Lanka, was afforded the highest honour & complete protection by the ancient royal decree of the Sinhalese. It had been the bulldozer & bulldog of ancient Lanka.

Models
In the temple courtyard are the old models of Ruwan Weli Seya made of stone, a statue of King Dutugemunu worshipping the dagoba. In the image house are 4 statues of the Buddhas who have attained Buddhahood in this aeon (kalpa) & future Buddha Maitri. All these creations are very old.

Inspiration from a bubble of air floating on water
Much restored, the great dome, painted a gleaming white is busy with pilgrims throughout the day on any day of the year. It is believed the hero of the nation, King Dutugamunu was inspired by seeing a bubble of air floating on water. In spite of the height of 100 meters & thousands of tons of bricks, the attempt has been a success: all you see is the skin of white paint that seems to envelope a pocket of air. The pinnacle of Golden Sand Stupa is 24 ft, in height. The crest gem on the pinnacle is a gift from Burma. Within the dome in a closed chamber are enshrined sacred relics of Buddha, valuable gems, statues made of gold & various valuable objects.