Attraction

Mirisaveti Stupa

Located within the ancient city of Anuradhapura, Mirisaveti Stupa or Mirisavetiya is a magnificent Buddhist monument that stands tall towering over a quaint and ancient land. Built by King Dutugemunu from 161 BC to 137 BC, it was a monument that was erected to commemorate the defeat of King Elara – a south Indian emperor who invaded Sri Lanka.

It is believed that the stupa was built with an important relic in its heart and hence it is revered as a pilgrimage site by Buddhists who live around the country. The monument got its distinctive name from a tale in which the king forgot to present a particular food item to the priests which are made of chilli (“Miris” in Sinhala). During the ancient times of Sri Lanka, it was a custom to present priests with food from the castle before anyone at the castle consumed it and since the king had failed to follow the custom, he had built the Dagoba seeking penance from the Lord.

The dagoba, due to foreign invasions, and the elements of nature, went to a dilapidated condition in which it remained for several centuries. In 1987 a grand restoration project was initiated by the government to conserve and protect the Dagoba which many considered as a national treasure that has great cultural and religious significance and it was subsequently completed in 1993. The Dagoba you would see today is 141 feet in diameter and 192 feet or 59 meters tall.

Tourists can visit the site by a tuk-tuk from Anuradhapura town but you will have to be dressed modestly upon visiting the site. Emitting a positive aura and surrounded by a tranquil ambience the site is indeed worth exploring and it certainly instils a profound sense of peace within you!

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