'Lankaramaya', Anuradhapura, Sri Lanka.

‘Lankarama is a stupa built by King Valagamba, in an ancient place at Galhebakada in the ancient kingdom of Anuradhapura, Sri Lanka. Nothing is known about the ancient form of the stupa, and later this was renovated. The ruins show that there are rows of stone pillars and it is no doubt that there has been a house built encircling the stupa (vatadage) to cover it. The round courtyard of the stupa seems to be 10 feet (3 m) above the ground. The diameter of the stupa is 45 feet (14 m). The courtyard is circular in shape and the diameter is 1332 feet (406 m)’.

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lankarama‎

‘Originally, the Lankarama Dagoba had a conical roof covering that is now long gone. This building is identified as the Silasobbhakandaka Cetiya built by King Valagamba, who went into hiding after being defeated by the Tamils. 

There are three concentric circles of columns around the Lankarama Dagoba. As in the Thuparama Dagoba, the columns of the Lankarama Dagoba used to support the roof of a vatadage, or circular stupa house’ –

http://www.asiaexplorers.com/srilanka/lankarama_dagoba.htm

Artifacts, Thuparamaya, Anuradhapura, Sri Lanka.

'Thuparamaya', Anuradhapura, Sri Lanka.

Thuparama, the oldest stupa in Sri Lanka, is believed to enshrine the collarbone Relic of the Buddha sent from India by Emperor Asoka after Anuradhapura converted to Buddhism.

The Thuparama stupa, built by King Devanampiyatissa, enshrines the sacred collar bone of the Buddha. This relic, a gift from India, stands testimony to the cordial relations enjoyed by the then Sri Lanka ruler. The columns around the stupa were a part of the colonnade that supported a roof which covered the sacred edifice. Aesthetically, the interior of such a structure must have been the stunning expression of wood engineering and of the most skilful craftsmanship. The edifice’s conical design, unique in the architectural history of the world, continue to be discussed and debated by scholars and scientists.

The discovery of medical texts and surgical instruments dating back to the Anuradhapura period confirms the Quality of life during that era. The tradition of using stone troughs as medicinal baths to cure the sick was in vogue during the Anuradhapura and subsequent Polonnaruwa periods. The patient, whether paralytic or in a coma after a snake bite, was immersed in a bath enriched with the appropriate medicinal potions t that would gradually be absorbed into the body. Interestingly, the shape of the vessel was moulded to economize on the expensive fluid.

(informationofthuparamaya.blogspot.com)

Sights at the Ruwanweli Saeya, Anuradhapura, Sri Lanka.

Drinking water dispenser donated by the Hon. Jawarhalal Nehru, the ex Prime-Minister of India.

Ruwanweli Saeya, Anuradhapura, Sri Lanka.

A 'Dolosma Pahana' - A lamp for the 12 months of the year.

Pilgrims doing a circuit round the stupa.

An 'Image house' on the perimeter of the Stupa..