Ruwanweli mahaseya is scared stupa for Buddhists all over the world. This stupa was built by the then king Dutugamunu. The construction of this stupa was completed around 140 B.C. It can be called the most scared stupa in Sri Lanka. This stupa is one o the tallest monuments in the world today. This relics of the lord Buddha are placed in the stupa. Located in Anuradhapura district a large number of tourists visit this stupa.

If you are going to visit this stupa it is better to wear a white dress. It should be a dress that fits that shrine

Source:"Ruwanwelisaya Stupa"by Teseum

Ruwanweli Mahaseya can be described as the most sacred dagoba in Sri Lanka, This Ruwanweli maha stupa is one of the oldest stupa in Sri Lanka. It is about 103 meters(338 feet) high. The diameter of this stupa is about 287 meters(971 feet).Ruwanweli maha stupa is one of the tallest monuments in the world. Ruwanweli maha seya is also known by the nicknames "Maha thupaya"(Great stupa),"Maha seya"(Great stupa)"Rathnamali seya"(Rathnamali stupa) and "swarnamali seya"(swarnamali stupa).King dutugemunu who was living at that time started the construction of the foundation of the Ruwanweli maha stupa on the Vesak poya day in May. The foundation stone for the construction of this stupa was  laid on the day of esala poya. Details of the villages and towns where the raw material for the construction of this Ruwanwel maha stupa was imported can be obtained from ancient books. The bricks are made of clay taken from the banks of the gambira river, copper has been obtained from the village of Thambapanni, The gems were obtained from the village of samanwewa, silver was obtained from the silver cave, Nellie-sized pearls and beads were obtained from a small town called Uruwela, four large gems have been obtained from the village  of pelawapi, gold was obtained from the village of auruwani. It is stared that the raw material for the construction of Ruwanweli maha stupa was obtained from the above villages. Even when king dutugamunu died, the construction of this stupa had not been completed. after his death, king saddatissa, the younger brother of king Dutugemunu, became king. King saddatissa completed the construction of this of this Ruwanweli maha stupa in 140 B.C. This stupa is important because the relics of the lord Buddha are placed here. During the reign of king Dutugemunu at that time a special pooja was performed and these sacred relics were treasured in the stupa. A large number of arahant monks came to the ceremony to treasure these sacred relics. All the arahant monks said :"May the sacred relics not shaken by an earthquake", "may the jasmine flowers offered on that day not  wither as long as the Buddha sasana exists" ,"the lamps lit on that day should be lit until the Buddha sasana lasts" ,"may the fragrance of the room where the relics are kept last as long as the Buddha sasana exist" .It is said that the determination of these Arahant monks was successful. This Ruwamweli maha seya is a stupa that is worshiped by Buddhists as well as local and foreign tourists all over the world. Foreign tourists are keen to visit this ancient stupa. 

Open time

  • Monday      = Open 24 hours
  • Tuesday      = Open 24 hours
  • Wednesday = Open 24 hours
  • Thursday    = Open 24 hours
  • Friday        = Open 24 hours
  • Saturday    = Open 24 hours
  • Sunday      = Open 24 hours
Price of tickets
  • No ticket required
Address
  • Abhayawewa road ,Anuradhapura
If you want to know more details about this sacred place, call the number below.
  • Telephone number = 0252 222 120
You can easily find out the way to visit this sacred place by clicking on the link below