Ruwanwelisaya

The Ruwanwelisaya is a stupa and a semi-spherical structure containing relics, in Sri Lanka, considered sacred to many Buddhists around the world. Two-quarters or a drone of the relics of the Gothama Buddha are consecrated at the summit, which is the largest collection of their relics anywhere. It was built by King Dutugemunu c. In 140 BC, he became king of all Sri Lanka after a war in which the Chola king Elāra (Ellalan) was defeated. It is also known as "Mahathupa", "Swarnamali Chaitya", "Suvarnamali Mahaceti" (in Pali) and "Rathnamali Dagaba".

This is one of the "Solosmasthana" (the 16 places of worship) and the "Atamasthana" (the 8 places of worship of the ancient sacred city of Anuradhapura). The stupa is one of the tallest ancient monuments in the world, measuring 103 meters (338 feet) and with a circumference of 290 meters. The original stamp was about 55 meters high and was renovated by many kings. The Kaunghmudaw Pagoda in Sagaing, Myanmar is modeled after this stupa. The Mahavamsa contains a detailed account of the construction and inauguration ceremony of the stupa.

The stupa was a ruin in the 19th century. After fundraising for a Sinhalese bhikkhu, it was refurbished in the early 20th century. The Ruyaveli Seya Restoration Society was founded in 1902 and the final culmination of the stupa was on June 17, 1940.