Sandagiri Maha Seya – largest stupa in Kandy - By Arundathie Abeysinghe

Sandagiri Maha Seya – largest stupa in Kandy – By Arundathie Abeysinghe

Image Source : Sandagiri Maha Seya Hanthana Facebook

Situated in close proximity to the 850-meter pass of *Hanthana-Uduwela road (from Kandy to Galaha) and approximately 1.7 kilometer from *Ceylon Tea Museum, Sandagiri Maha Seya can be reached after passing a steep and winding road along with breathtaking vistas of the surroundings…

“Giri” meaning “hill” or “mountain” and Sanda (derived from Sanskrit “Sandra” meaning “thick” or “dense” (can refer to a thicket or dense forest as an abode of hermits), meaning “thick grove”, “dense wood”, “heap” or “multitude”. Hence, “Sandagiri” can either be translated to “forested mountain” or to a “heap on a hill”. Both meanings can be referred to a huge dome in the forests of the *Hanthana Mountain Range.

Sandagiri Maha Seya is a prominent landmark in the hills of Kandy and a breathtaking site visited by large numbers of Buddhists as well as local and foreign tourists…

With a height and equal diameter of 33 meters (over 100 feet), Sandagiri Maha Seya is the largest stupa in Kandy District. The terrace of the stupa (dagoba) is in an elevation of 930 meters above sea level and offers 180-degree panoramic vistas of *Hanthana Mountain Range along with cliffs of Katusukonda und Uragala to the right and the valley of the *Mahaweli River to the left.

The stupa (situated in a breathtaking site in a spectacular setting) is one of Sri Lanka’s new giant stupa constructions of the 21st century, constructed by public and private donations, (including Path Nirvana Foundation). The construction work of the stupa commenced on January 27, 2017 and the completion ceremony, including the construction of the pinnacle on the summit the stupa dome was on March 28, 2021, the consecration ceremony including depositing sacred objects in the stupa was held on September 10, 2022.

Scholars are of the view that, the stupa is constructed as a *cupola hall supported by only a single column in the center. The column is designed as a *Bo Tree, the branches of which spread out over a large part of the ceiling. The tree forms the central vertical line from the relic chamber to the pinnacle, which was known as “Upagala” in ancient stupa architecture, representing the axis mundi (Latin term for the axis of the Earth between the celestial poles) symbolized by the entire stupa. In contrast to ancient stupas and similar to majority of modern stupas, the dome has a large inner hall that is accessible.

The elaborate project of constructing Sandagiri Maha Seya was initiated by Ven. Gangasiripura Dhammaloka Thera.

Driving distance from Kandy City to Sandagiri Maha Seya is approximately six kilometers on a winding uphill road.

Image Source : Sandagiri Maha Seya Hanthana Facebook

Bo Tree – Also known as “Bodhi Tree” is a specific sacred fig tree (Ficus religiosa) under which the Buddha had attained *Enlightenment at Bodh Gaya in Bihar, India.
Cupola hall – In architecture, a cupola is a relatively small, most frequently, a dome-like, tall structure on top of a building, most often utilized to provide a lookout or light and air, which usually crowns a larger roof or dome. Traditionally, cupolas were utilized to ventilate and provide natural light for the structure underneath it. Peter’s Basilica in Rome, Italy is an example of a cupola.
Enlightenment – In Buddhism, Enlightenment is when a Buddhist finds the truth about life and stops being reborn as he/she has reached *Nirvana.
Galaha – A mountainous area with green hills and natural water sources located within the Central Province of Sri Lanka.
Hanthana Mountain Range – Situated approximately 1240 meters above sea level, Hanthana Mountain Range is in central Sri Lanka, south-west of Kandy City. Hanthana Mountain Range stretches from Kandy City to *Galaha situated about 20 kilometers towards south of Kandy City. There are seven peaks in the mountain range. The mountain range offers breathtaking views of Kandy City and Knuckles Mountain Range. Hanthana Mountain Range has served as a location for movies and music videos.
Mahaweli River – Sri Lanka’s longest river, 335 kilometers in length with a drainage basin of 10,448km2.
Nirvana – Refers to a release from the cycle of death and rebirth, the ultimate spiritual goal of Buddhism.