Thuparama: Sri Lanka’s first dagoba- by M.A.R.Manukulasooriya

Thuparama in Anuradhapura is considered as the first dagoba built Sri Lanka after the introduction of Buddhism. Arahat Mahinda, an envoy sent by King Ashoka introduced Buddhism to the country during the reign of King Devanampiyatissa.

The king who met Arahat Mahinda at Mihintale, was the first to embrace Buddhism. Under the patronage of the Thera, the king built the Thuparama stupa in the 3rd century B.C. enshrining the collarbone of the Buddha. According to legend, the earth had shaken at the ceremony held to place the sacred relics. The king and the members of the royal family had provided many valuable items to be enshrined in the Dhathu Garba.

The stupa depicts Dhanyagara (a grain storage). The location of the stupa was where the Buddha had spent a few minutes in Samadhi pose during one of his visits to Sri Lanka. The stupa has been built in the shape of a bell. By the reign of King Agbo II, the site was in ruins and was fully restored by a royal edict.

The current construction of the dagoba dates back to the 1842 rebuilding. As of the 21st century after repeated reconstructions over centuries, the monument has a diameter of 59 feet at the base. The dome is raised on a plinth 11 feet four inches off the ground and the entire structure is 164 feet in diameter. The compound is paved with granite with two rows of stone pillars.

A distinctive feature of the Thuparamaya is the vatadage, a dome shaped construction which once held within it the stupa. The name Thuparamaya is said to be derived from the words “stupa” and “aramaya” which denotes a monastic complex for bhikkhus.

Archaeological excavations have revealed that the ruins of an ancient hospital existence over 2,000 years ago. Artefacts such as medical equipment and remains of a toilet system have been discovered.

A widely recognised element is the two guard stones on either side of the entrance.

Some stone pillars of an ancient structure are on one side of the Thuparama Dagoba.

The Dagoba is in Mahamewna Uyana about 600 metres from the Ruwanweliseya Dagoba.