“Damila Maha Seya” – incomplete archaeological site By Arundathie Abeysinghe Located in the ancient city complex of *Polonnaruwa covering an area of approximately 1.6 hectares (four acres), “Damila Maha Seya” also known as “Damila Thupa” or “Demala Maha Seya” is an incomplete stupa constructed during the reign of King Parakramabahu I (1153-1186) utilizing labor of Tamil prisoners brought from India when he attacked the *Chola Kingdom of South India. Due to some unknown reason, the King had been unable to complete the Stupa. This stupa is similar to *Kota Vehera in Dedigama and *Yudaganawa Stupa (considered as the location of King Parakramabahu’s mother’s cremation). This gigantic incomplete stupa is located between *Gal Viharaya and *Thivanka Pilimage and is at present, a protected archaeological site. Scholars are of the view that, although, King Parakramabahu I has planned this 12th century stupa of 186 meters (570 feet) height as the world’s largest ...
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“Kota Vehera” – commemoration of a royal birth – By Arundathie Abeysinghe Situated approximately 15 kilometers from *Kegalle, Dedigama “Kota Vehera” also known as “Suthigara Seya” or “Suthigara Dagoba” (“suthikagaraya” meaning place of birth) is a dome-shaped shrine comprising relics of the Buddha or an *Arhat. According to *Mahawamsa, King Manabharana, a sub-king of *Ruhuna lived in exile in Dedigama. He has used “Punkhagama” (present Dedigama) as his capital city during his reign. The Suthigara dagoba (or stupa is a shrine that contains sacred relics) gets its name from the word “suthikagaraya” (meaning place of birth). Queen Rathnavali gave birth to a baby boy (who later reigned as King Parakramabahu I also known as King Parakramabahu the Great – 1153-1186) in the place where the stupa is located. This stupa has been constructed by King Parakramabahu as a memorial for the location, he was born. According to typical architectural style ...
