Maha Seya (also known as Maha Thupa, Maha Cetiya) is a Stupa located in the ancient temple complex of Mihintale in Anuradhapura, Sri Lanka. It is considered the largest Stupa in the monastery complex (Nicholas, 1963; Wikramagamage, 2004).
History
The Stupa has been referred to as Ambulu Dagoba in Pujavaliya and in the Tablets of Mahinda IV (Nicholas, 1963; Wickremasinghe, 1912).
The conserved Stupa is about 153 ft (46.63 m) high.
Conservation
The spire of the Stupa is said had been collapsed before 1890 and in 1893, it was attempted to be conserved under the patronage of a prince of Thailand, but the effort became fruitless (Wikramagamage, 2004). In 1950, The conservation of the Stupa was commenced again by the Department of Archaeology and in 1965, the State Engineering Corporation was involved in the conservation process. Presently, the conservation work of the Stupa has been totally completed.The conserved Stupa is about 153 ft (46.63 m) high.
References
1) Nicholas, C. W., 1963. Historical topography of ancient and medieval
Ceylon. Journal of the Ceylon Branch of the Royal Asiatic Society, New
Series (Vol VI). Special Number: Colombo. Royal Asiatic Society (Ceylon
Branch). p.164.
2) Wikramagamage, C., 2004. Heritage of Rajarata: Major natural, cultural and historic sites. Colombo. Central Bank of Sri Lanka. p.170.
3) Wickremasinghe, D.M.D.Z., 1912. Epigraphia Zeylanica: Being lithic and other inscription of Ceylon (Vol. I). London. Archaeological Survey of Ceylon. p.81,112.
3) Wickremasinghe, D.M.D.Z., 1912. Epigraphia Zeylanica: Being lithic and other inscription of Ceylon (Vol. I). London. Archaeological Survey of Ceylon. p.81,112.
Location Map
This page was last updated on 14 November 2022
