Thuparamaya Tourism

Type of destination: Cultural Heritage Site

Ideal visit duration: 1-2 hours

Thuparamaya is the oldest stupa in Sri Lanka, located in the sacred city of Anuradhapura. It holds historical and religious significance as it was established during the reign of King Devanampiya Tissa in the 3rd century B.C.E., following the introduction of Buddhism to the island by Mahinda, the son of the Indian Emperor Ashoka. Thuparamaya enshrines the collarbone of the Buddha, making it a revered pilgrimage site. The stupa displays a unique structural design that reflects the early Buddhist architectural traditions, with elements of the Theravada Buddhist style. The complex surrounding it includes the remains of a vatadage, which is a circular relic house that once protected the stupa, adorned with stone pillars and guardstones that exhibit intricate carvings. Over the centuries, Thuparamaya has witnessed several renovations and is today a focal point of worship and veneration, attracting both devotees and tourists for its historical value and serene environment. The site is a testament to the ancient Sri Lankan engineering skills and religious devotion, encapsulating the cultural essence of the bygone Anuradhapuran era.

Thuparamaya Tourism

Thuparamaya Tourism

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