Sri Lanka Holidays

Mirisavatiya Dagaba, Anuradhapura, Sri Lanka

Located among many other important sites
Mirisavatiya Dagoba is one of cluster of sites we will be visiting in a ride along the banks of the Tissa Wewa reservoir. The area is pleasant to stroll along too. Mirisavatiya Dagoba, which is identical to & only slightly smaller than the celebrated & adored Ruwanweliseya Stupa, is almost across the road from the Tissa wewa Rest House. Surrounded by the ruins of monasteries on three sides, the dagoba is only a kilometer to the east of Sacred Sri Maha Bodhi tree. The site still remains largely unexcavated.

The first monument built by the Hero of the Nation
This was the first monument built by the hero of the nation, victorious King Dutugamunu of Ruhuna (161-136 BC) after his consecration, enshrining an ornate kunta (scepter) which contained a sacred relic of Buddha. The scepter which was left implanted here in the bank by the king when he visited the tank could not on his return be pulled out from the ground by any means. The dagoba was constructed herein following this incident which was taken as an auspicious sign. King Dutugamunu went on to build Ruwanweliseya Stupa too.

How to say sorry in style
At the dagoba's consecration, King Dutugamunu dedicated the monument to the Sangha (Buddhist monks), in compensation for his failure to make an offering to Buddhist Bhikkus before having a rice & curry meal well spiced with Chilies (Miris). The minor failure & the sterling compensation say a lot about the religious traditions & reverence towards the monks by the Sinhalese.

Are you in search of illusive class?
Having slain Dravidian invader Elara in a duel (both warriors mounted on elephants & throwing spears) in the final epic battle at Vijitapura, Anuradhapura, King Dutugamunu (161-136 BC) built a memorial tomb for his defeated enemy. The hero of the nation also decreed whoever go passing the tomb get off the vehicle or mount & walk within the vicinity. Obeying to the decree a Kandyan aristocrat (1815 AD) paid with his life, being outpaced by his enemies.

Rebuilt after being destroyed by the marauding Dravidian invaders form South India
After a Chola invasion by the Dravidian invaders from South India, the dagoba was completely rebuilt during the reign of King Kasyapa the fifth (929-938 AD) in 930 AD.

Refectory
Northeast of dagoba are the remains of a refectory, complete with enormous stone rice troughs held enough for 1000 individual servings. This would be a definite indication as to the thousands of Buddhist Bhikkus (monks) that would have inhabited in the monasteries.