Thuparamaya Temple

Thuparamaya Temple

Thuparamaya is situated in the city of Anuradhapura. This is the first stupa to be built in the country after the introduction of Buddhism to Sri Lanka by Arahat Mahinda Thero. The stupa was built during the time of king Devamnampiyatissa. Today the ruins of this stupa cover about nearly 3 ½ acres. It was built on the instructions of Mahinda Thero.

About the destination

You will see a unique architectural feature called vatadage, a stupa-house. Thuparamaya was a stupa as well as an Aramic complex (monastery). This building uses to completely house the stupa. At present, you will see four concentric circles of stone pillars that are around the stupa. These pillars diminish in height with time.

History of the destination

Thuparamaya was covered with a gold and silver casing and the vatadagê (stupa-house) with golden bricks and golden doors back in the past which added glamour to the stupa. There have been 176 pillars that use to support this stupa house and in 1896, 31 complete pillars have been still existing. It is believed that this vatadage has been built in the 1st century AC.

Later in the years, the Pandyans (south Indian Tamil) plundered the stupa of it’s all gold, jewels, and treasures. To restore its wealth King Mahinda IV reinstalled the golden casings and the golden doors but again in the late 10th century Colas (south Indian Tamil) completely plundered the place of its valuables.

Reaching the destination

From Colombo

Go on McCallum Road. Continue straight onto Colombo – Katunayake Expressway and take the Ja-Ela exit. Turn left onto Ja Ela-Ekala Highway and turn right onto Kurunegala Road.

Turn left at Kalugamuwa Junction onto Kalugamuwa-Wariyapola Road then go straight past Kurunegala Junction onto Mihindu Mawatha. You have to take the 2nd exit onto Thuparama Mawatha and the destination will be on your right.

From Anuradhapura

Go on Sangabo Mawatha and turn left onto D S Senanayake Mawatha. Turn right onto  Puttalam- Trincomalee Highway and turn right at Kurunegala Junction onto Mihindu Mawatha. You have to take a turn right onto Thuparama Mawatha and the destination will be on your right.