Ruwanwelisaya - one of the most sacred stupa in Sri lanka

Ruwanwelisaya(also called Swarnamali saaya) is one of the most renowned"stupa"(a construction made for to be worshiped with sacred relics deposited inside)in Sri lanka.It's considered a wonder due to the splendid architecture it bears and the great sanctitiy which has made it sacred to the Buddhists all over the world.This great structure was built by the King"Dutugemunu",one of the few kings who were able to fight for the countries freedom when it was in danger and brought the country under one flag.

As mentioned in an early post this stupa is another one of the most sacred 8 places (atamasthana)a budhist visits at anuradhapura(see the post on Samadhi buddha statue,another one of "atamasthana").Of all the sacred places in the country,16 places are categorized("solosmasthana" or 16 places of veneration)as the most sacred and,a Buddhist considers its their great fortune to visit all these places and to worship them.Ruwanwelisaya is one of the top places in that list.

It is said king Dutugemunu started to build this wonder on a Wesak full moon day which is the most sacred day for the Buddhists and as you can see if you visit the stupa,it was such massive(the pinnacle of the stupa is 24 meters high and its circumference is 950ft!!)that most say he was not been able to finish the work till his death and it was finished by his brother king Saddhathissa who followed him after.There are a lot of reasons why Ruwanwelisaya is very sacred to Buddhists and some reasons would be that it has Lord Buddha's sacred relics deposited inside,made by the great king Dutugemunu and made on a Wesak full moon day.

Samadhi Buddha statue - A spiritual iconography of The Anuradhapura era

Samadhi Buddha statue is considered one of the best crafts made during the Anuradhapura era.It is a sitting Buddha statue(see the post on Aukana statue which is a standing statue). There are 8 sacred places a Buddhist never forgets to visit at Anuradhapura.This samadhi statue is one of that sacred places(there will be a post on these 8 sacred places in the future).By a single glance at it,the statue has the capability to throw away ones agitation and to winds down the mind.(A fact that you will appreciate,if you ever visit the place).

Samadhi statue is made up of Dolomite and is considered more than 7feet tall standing.It is also believed that the eyes of the statue were impressed with precious stones as they are hollow.The characteristic feature of this great ancient craft is that it gives three different emotions when you look at the face of the statue from front,left side and from right side.


When someone looks at the face from the right side it shows a slight sadness and from the left side a slight smile indicating happiness,while from the front it gives neutral feelings.Buddhism is a philosophy that teaches us to accept sadness and joy as normal occurrings in our lives and it teaches us not to be overrod by those feelings.So some argue this Samadhi statue expresses that deep lesson to us.


As the samadhi Buddha statue was found,there was a damage to the nose which has been now reconstructed.But still,the reconstruction has given some artificial appearance to the face which indicates,how brilliant and precise the ancient stone craftsmanship was during that ancient Anuradhapura era which was many centuries back,by appreciating the fact that it is difficult even to be replaced it by modern high technologies.

watch a short video of Samadhi Buddha statue....

Aukana Buddha statue - An exellency of ancient Craftsmanship

Aukana is one of the largest Buddha statues in Sri lanka (12meters) and one of the best handcraft of ancient Sri lankan Artist.This was built by King Dhathusena(5th centuryAD) the father of King Kashyapa who made the Seegiriya fortress.After the destruction of similar but larger Barmiyan Buddha statues at Afghanistan,this statue has taken the position as the tallest standing Buddha statue in existence today made by a single rock.

King Dathusena has gifted another magnificent product to Sri lanka which was the huge man made water tank to get rain water stocked during dry season to use for cultivating purposes which still nurishes those areas of Anuradhapura district, and is called "Kalaa wewa".Aukana statue is located adjoining to this Kalaa wewaa reminding the greatness of its builder King Dathusena.The statue is in the symbolic gesture (or"Mudra")which describes blessing.

If you watch the Aukana Buddha statue closely,you will be amazed by its expressions which are pure calmness and the steadiness that shows out the supreme power and stability of enlightenment.To build out something this magnificent,from a rough coarse rock merely explains the excellency of the ancient Sri lankan craftsmanship.

The best time to watch East facing Aukana statue would be at the crack of dawn as it will be easier for you to appreciate its fine carved features.

learn more about Aukana Buddha statue.

The proud Sri lankan landscape - Polonnaruwa

Polonnaruwa became the capital of Sri lanka after Anuradhapura.Today both these cities are full of ancient remnants of a proud Sri lankan history.King Aggabodhi IV was the first king to start his kingdom at Polonnaruwa during 667-675 AD.From there onwards several kings ruled Sri lanka from Polonnaruwa some of them who comes to any Sri lankan's mind would be King Vijayabaahu I and King Paraakramabaahu I who were great kings.

If you love to see ancient relics made by stone,Polonnaruwa is a place where you should visit.Polonnaruwa town is situated 140km North to Kandy.As the roads have been developed during the recent past,it wont take much time for you to travel from Kandy to Polonnaruwa.
Lets see what you can find at Polonnaruwa..
1)Polonnaruwa visitor information center and Museum
2)The Royal palace(King Paraakramabaahu I)
3)King Nissanka Malla's palace
4)Rankoth vihaara
5)Lankathilaka gedige
6)Watadaage(The quadrangle)
7)Kiri vehera
8)Gal vihara
9)Alahana pirivena complex and many more

All these ancient relics have their own story in the ancient polonnaruwa period where all well written in Mahaawansha(The great chronicle of Sri lanka)
During those ancient times Sri lanka was a great agricultural nation.All the kings gave their full support to the the agricultural field.

King Paraakramabaahu was one of the greatest kings as mentioned and during his period he unified the country under one rule and built a remarkable series of irrigation work including the massive "Paraakrama samudraya".if you see the Paraakrama samudraya which is a man made irrigation work to supply water to farmers,you might misjudge it as another ocean inside the country.The oath of this king is very popular.He has said "Even a drop of rain water should not be flown to the ocean without taking any use".

want to know more about Polonnaruwa? please visit
learn more about Polonnaruwa

Temple of the sacred tooth relic(Sri Daladaa Maaligaawa)

Kandy was the last kingdom of Sri lanka.In ancient Sri lanka there was a rule that who has the ownership of the sacred tooth owns the crown of the country.So it was the symbol of sovereignty of Sri lanka.It was king's responsibility to protect the sacred tooth.When ever there was a kingdom,(Anuradhapura,Polonnaruwa,Gampola etc)there was a separate palace built for the sacred tooth.As mentioned kandy was the last kingdom the palace build for the sacred tooth relic during that period was Sri daladaa Maaligawa which is the temple of the sacred tooth relic and there we still have our precious sacred tooth relic inside.

At the temple things you can watch and appreciate would be
1)the temple and its structure
2)the museum adjoining the temple
3)room housing the sacred tooth(during poojas)
4)might see some elephants as well if you are lucky
5)Kandy Esala perahara on July (if you are very lucky)

If you want to know about the Sacred tooth relic-it is said to have been snatched from the flames of lord Buddha's pyre in 543BC and brought to Sri lanka during the 4th century AD hidden in the hair of a princess for its safety.

To worship the sacred tooth Sri lankans traditionally do a perahara since ancient times.If you have hot seen a kandy Esala perahara you are unlucky.It is a one of very colourful events happening since 15th century.The Perahara consists of traditional sinhala music and kandyan dancing plus it has a large number of charming beautifully decorated glistening elephants as well.Esala perahara is an event which happens annually on July.Watch Esala perehara video

If you want to know more about temple of the sacred tooth relic you can visit
learn more....