Lovamahapaya, Buddhist monastery ruins in Anuradhapura, Sri Lanka
Lovamahapaya is a ruined stone structure in Anuradhapura made up of 1600 monolithic granite columns arranged in a regular grid pattern. These pillars originally supported a nine-story building that rose high above the ancient city's landscape.
King Dutugamunu ordered construction of this grand building around 140 BCE as a demonstration of royal power and Buddhist devotion. The project reflected the height of ancient engineering skill in the Anuradhapura kingdom.
The name refers to an assembly hall for Buddhist monks, and the layout of pillars shows how different areas served various purposes in monastic life. Visitors can still observe how the column arrangement defined spaces where monks gathered and practiced.
The site sits between two other major temples and is reachable by roads running through central Anuradhapura. Visitors should allow time to walk among the columns and be ready for uneven ground.
This building held the title of Sri Lanka's tallest structure for over a thousand years, maintaining that status until the late 900s. The towering height made it a visible symbol of royal authority across the ancient world.
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