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| Sunday, 28 November 2004 |
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Junior Observer |  |
| News Business Features Editorial
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One of the largest dagobas of the Buddhist world
The Jetawanarama Dagoba in Anuradhapura, one of the largest dagobas in Sri Lanka and even in the whole Buddhist world, is often confused with the Abhayagiri Vihara, also in Anuradhapura. The Jetawanarama, when it was measured in recent times, was around 97 metres (232 feet) in height. However, this was after its pinnacle had been damaged. The original height of the dagoba, with the pinnacle intact, was around 130 metres (400 feet), according to the chronicles. Its base was about 120 metres (367 feet) in diameter. The dagoba is constructed entirely of bricks and is said to be the largest brick-made dagoba in the world. Investigations conducted at the site have revealed that it stands on a brick foundation which is 26 feet thick, below which there is another concrete foundation. It is built in the shape of a bubble.
The Jetawana is believed to have been constructed by King Mahasen, who ruled Sri Lanka during the third century. This king destroyed many religious edifices of the Mahavihara sect as he was under the influence of a monk named Sanghamitta, who belonged to a different sect. The king realised his mistake later and started reconstructing the very buildings he had destroyed to make up for his past folly. However, he continued to associate with the non-conventional sects, which is apparent by the gifting of the Jetawanarama, which he built in the Nandana Uyana, to such a sect known as Sagalika through the monk named Kohontissa of Dakkhina Vihara. It is believed that the king constructed the dagoba incorporating a smaller dagoba built by King Uththiya to enshrine the relics of Arahath Mahinda. Some believe that it contains the relics of the Buddha. The huge platform of the chetiya remaining incomplete has led some to decide that a major event which had occurred around this time may have driven the Sinhalese away or held them at bay, preventing the completion of construction. King Parakramabahu I had also renovated the dagoba. The stupa is built on an eight-acre courtyard of which one side is 192 metres (576 feet). The ruins of four vahalkadas can be seen in the four sides of the dagoba. Four stairways, each 28 feet wide, are seen on the four sides leading to the dagoba. The remains of an 'elephant wall' around this courtyard have been discovered through excavations. To the west of the dagoba can be seen the remains of a monastery, of which the dagoba was a part. The monastery may have housed over 3,000 monks. Prominent here is an image house (pilima geya). A huge door frame opens into this building. The discovery of the remains of a lotus pedestal from the site has led many to believe that the main statue housed in this image house, though not there anymore, would have been gigantic to match the size of the shrine. The image house displays signs of having been burnt down once and the limestone statue which it had once housed may have been burnt in this fire. ______________________________________________ The best-preserved image house
The Thuparama in Polonnaruwa is not to be confused with the Thuparama Dagoba in Anuradhapura. The Polonnaruwa edifice is one of four principal buildings, the others being the dagoba, bo tree shrine and chapter house, of an earlier Buddhist monastery. The Terrace of the Tooth Relic of Polonnaruwa was believed to have been built on the site of this monastery. The Thuparama in the southwest of the platform is a large, well-preserved image house. It is known as a gedige, an architectural style which was perfected during the Polonnaruwa era. The monument built to honour the Buddha is of typical Sri Lankan design. The Lankatilaka and Tivanka Image House are of similar design. Despite being the smallest gedige in the city, it is one of the best and the only one with its roof intact. It is thought to have been built by King Parakramabahu I, but shows the strong Hindu influence of the period.One can get an idea of the architectural style of the Polonnaruwa period by inspecting the outside of the image house. There are makara spouts to drain the rain water to the ground. The lime work put over the brick work has lasted for many centuries. Around its walls can be seen many architectural models which provide an idea of the magnificence of the constructions of the period. In an inner chamber of the building, a ruined brick and plaster pile could be seen; this is thought to have once been a seated Buddha statue. There are many other stone Buddha sculptures at the place, of which many date to the Anuradhapura period. |
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