Thuparamaya, Buddhist temple in Anuradhapura, Sri Lanka
Thuparamaya is a Buddhist temple in Anuradhapura featuring a circular stupa at its center, surrounded by stone pillars and topped with a large dome. Ancient monastic buildings in various states of preservation are scattered across the temple grounds.
The stupa was built in the 3rd century BCE during King Devanampiya Tissa's reign and marks when Buddhism first arrived in Sri Lanka. Its construction is closely tied to Mahinda's arrival, who brought the faith to the island.
The temple houses a sacred relic of Buddha and draws devoted pilgrims throughout the year who come to pray and make offerings. You can observe groups meditating or leaving flowers and incense at the shrine as part of their daily devotion.
Visitors must remove their shoes and wear white or light-colored clothing that covers shoulders and knees. Maintaining respect and quiet behavior around the sacred site is essential for the experience.
The structure used ancient techniques to maintain the dome's stability, with stone pillars arranged in a precise circular pattern. The architectural solution reveals how ancient builders understood construction of such large structures.
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