The largest stupa in the world:

Abhayagiri monastery

Hidden under a million of steel pipes, Abhayagiri Stupa stands majestically at a 235 hectare land at the northern part of ancient Anuradhapura. Built during the second reign of King Vattagamini Abhaya in the first century BC, it has been under construction for a very long time.

For many years in the recent past people gathered and volunteered to renovate the Stupa.

Abhayagiri monastery was built especially for a group of monks who were expelled from the main monastery of that era, Maha Vihara. The resident bhikkhus launched a new sect known as Mahayana Buddhism. Soon after they introduced the new concept, the fame of the monastery and the teachings spread across and beyond the country. They attracted scientists and devotees from countries such as India, China, and Indonesia. However, the history of the monastery was unknown and the records were not properly kept.

Scattered ruins

The chronicle Mahavamsa was written at Maha Vihara, the rival monastery of Abhayagiri. Therefore, the author of Mahavamsa had not taken any effort to give a detailed account of the Abhayagiri.

Fa-Hsien, the Chinese Buddhist monk who travelled in many Buddhist countries had once lived at Abhayagiri for nearly two years. He says that around 5,000 bhikkhus resided here at that time. The conservation project carried out by the Cultural triangle, had found a stone through with the capacity of 5000 alm bowls, indicating that it was used to store boiled rice.

Differences

The floor plan of the cafeteria of the complex is said to be somewhat different from those found in other monasteries in Anuradhapura. Built with two courtyards, paved and well drained, the builders had ensured adequate light and ventilation of the building. This has been expanded several times. Archaeologists found ruins belonging to different cultural phases and a stone inscription from the first century B. C. Fresh water was supplied and waste water drained by a system of underground conduit pipes. In addition to these, a stone sundial had been used to ensure that the mid-day meal was served before noon, Various types of grinding stones and hearths had been found at the excavations.

Abhayagiri Stupa built by King Gajabahu to a height of 115 m is considered as the largest Stupa in the world, only a little shorter than Jethawanarama, which is 120 m. It is said that the Stupa is built over the footprint of the Buddha and it is one of the eight great places of veneration in Anuradhapura. The Stupa has an inner terrace and an outer terrace enclosed by walls.

The outer terrace was sprinkled with sand, while the inner terrace is paved with stone. The rain-water falling on the vast stretch of land was drained into four ponds built near the Stupa grounds. Today stripped parts of the outer casing of the stupa is covered by vegetation.

Solid brickwork

Built of solid brickwork laid in a butter clay mortar, the dome contains small, inaccessible chambers or garba concealed in its interior. The superstructure above the dome consists of the massive rectangular cube of the hataraskotuva surmounted by the circular devatakotuva and the badly damaged spire.

King Parakramabahu 1 is said to have renovated the Stupa last. Since the construction work is still going on, there are ruins of the vahalkada, scattered behind the image house near the stupa.

Abhayagiri Vihara complex has other stupas as well. Lankarama Stupa, which originally had a conical roof covering, is one such stupa. Officials have identified as Silasobbhakandaka Chetiya built by King Valagamba.

Another tall brick structure, situated in Vahadu-mula to the west of the Elephant Pond, was previously thought to be a library building. However, it also turned out to be a stupa. Another situated close to the Ratnaprasada, is the popularly known Indikatu Seya.

The last two stupas are very similar in their design to the Naka Vehera. The Indikatusaye, or Needle Stupa, is an example of the creativity of the ancient Sinhalese in planning and erecting buildings in harmony with the surrounding landscape.

Lotus pedestal	More stone ruins