{"id":99089,"date":"2022-09-08T10:47:26","date_gmt":"2022-09-08T10:47:26","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/websitedesigns.com.au\/elankanew\/?p=99089"},"modified":"2022-09-08T10:49:28","modified_gmt":"2022-09-08T10:49:28","slug":"damila-maha-seya-incomplete-archaeological-site-by-arundathie-abeysinghe","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/websitedesigns.com.au\/elankanew\/damila-maha-seya-incomplete-archaeological-site-by-arundathie-abeysinghe\/","title":{"rendered":"\u201cDamila Maha Seya\u201d \u2013 incomplete archaeological site By Arundathie Abeysinghe"},"content":{"rendered":"

\u201cDamila Maha Seya\u201d \u2013 incomplete archaeological site<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n

By Arundathie Abeysinghe<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n

\"Damila<\/p>\n

\"\"Located in the ancient city complex of *Polonnaruwa covering an area of approximately 1.6 hectares (four acres), \u201cDamila Maha Seya\u201d also known as \u201cDamila Thupa\u201d or \u201cDemala Maha Seya\u201d is an incomplete stupa<\/em> 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<\/em>.<\/span><\/p>\n

This stupa<\/em> is similar to *Kota Vehera in Dedigama and *Yudaganawa Stupa<\/em> (considered as the location of King Parakramabahu\u2019s mother\u2019s cremation).\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

This gigantic incomplete stupa<\/em> is located between *Gal Viharaya and *Thivanka Pilimage and is at present, a protected archaeological site.<\/span><\/p>\n

Scholars are of the view that, although, King Parakramabahu I has planned this 12th<\/sup> century stupa<\/em> of 186 meters (570 feet) height as the world\u2019s largest Buddhist monument, even with enforced assistance of Tamil prisoners, it could not be completed. The circumference of the Stupa<\/em> is approximately 650 meters and it is still undergoing excavations. It is gradually emerging from the forested hill.<\/span><\/p>\n

Many archaeologists are of the view that King Parakramabahu wanted to see this monument from India and the size has been planned accordingly.<\/span><\/p>\n

According to scholars, this stupa<\/em> is similar to a small hill enveloping a large existing quartzite rock.<\/span><\/p>\n

Except a section of the outer ring (Pesa Walalu<\/em>) approximately 10 meters in length, there is no indication of a stupa<\/em> at the location. Beyond these rings, there is a footpath leading to the summit of the stupa<\/em>.<\/span><\/p>\n

According to *Mahawamsa, King Parakramabahu attacked the *Pandya Kingdom and brought back Tamil prisoners of war. He stated that these prisoners should be employed to reconstruct all stupas<\/em> that were destroyed during their past invasions and he also reconstructed the dilapidated *Ruwanweli Seya in Anuradhapura.<\/span><\/p>\n

During the early 1900\u2019s, a different structure was mistakenly identified as \u201cDemala Maha Seya\u201d and the majority of information regarding this stupa<\/em> during that era referred to this other structure. Yet, the archaeological report of 1905 has identified this error and states that \u201cDemala Maha Seya\u201d as described in the Mahawamsa was known as \u201cUnagala Vehera\u201d during that time.<\/span><\/p>\n

Some scholars are of the view that the Stupa<\/em> was originally known as \u201cDamahal\u201d (meaning double storey) as it was constructed in two levels and later became \u201cDemala\u201d.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"DamilaSince 2017, restoration of the stupa<\/em> has commenced, although at a slow pace.<\/span><\/p>\n

This stupa<\/em> is rarely visited by tourists as it is not a well-known site and also due to the hazardous condition of the road leading to it. It is necessary to travel in a 4x drive vehicle to reach the stupa<\/em>. Thereafter, it is necessary to walk approximately 50 meters to reach it.<\/span><\/p>\n

There is another smaller stupa<\/em> in the center on the incomplete hemispherical structure which would have been constructed later. It is also possible to climb to the smaller stupa<\/em> and view the surroundings, a breathtaking site\u2026<\/span><\/p>\n

Image courtesy \u2013 amazinglanka.com & infolanka.lk\u00a0 <\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n