Somawathiya Chaitya, Buddhist temple in Polonnaruwa, Sri Lanka
Somawathiya Chaitya is a white stone stupa that rises from the wilderness of Somawathiya National Park along the Mahaweli River in eastern Sri Lanka. The structure displays classical Buddhist architecture with its bell-shaped dome set within a natural landscape.
The stupa was built in the 2nd century BC when King Kavan Tissa commissioned it to house a sacred relic of Buddha. It was connected to Princess Somawathi, for whom the shrine was originally dedicated.
The site holds deep significance for local communities who view it as a sacred sanctuary tied to Buddhist lineage. Pilgrims and visitors come to pay respects to what believers consider a powerful spiritual location.
Visitors reach this temple through the village of Sungavila, where wild elephants roam freely in their natural habitat. The remote location requires caution and awareness of both wildlife and weather conditions in this isolated area.
The structure lay hidden beneath earth for centuries until local residents noticed rays of light emerging from a large mound in 1947. This unexpected rediscovery brought the shrine back into modern awareness and access.
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