Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
in the ancient world, its scale only matched by the pyramids of Giza (and nearby
Jetavanarama). Today, after several reconstructions, Abhayagiri Dagoba soars 75m above
the forest floor. Visually, it's stunning, and your first glimpse of this brick monument
(which is shielded by surrounding forest) through a gap in the trees is breathtaking.
The name means 'Hill of Protection' or 'Fearless Hill'. In the Saddarma Rathnawaliya
scripture it says a statue of a golden bull containing relics of the Buddha was buried in the
core of the stupa.
Abhayagiri Dagoba has some interesting bas-reliefs, including one near the western
stairway of an elephant pulling up a tree. A large slab with a Buddha footprint can be seen
on the northern side, and the eastern and western steps have unusual moonstones made
from concentric stone slabs.
Moonstone
MONUMENT
A ruined 9th-century school for monks northwest of the Abhayagiri Dagoba is notable for
having the finest carved moonstone in Sri Lanka; see how many species of animals you
can find in its elaborate carvings. This is a peaceful wooded area full of butterflies, and
makes a good place to stop and cool off during a tour of the ruins (there are drinks and
snack stands close by). Look for the fine steps featuring plump little figures.
It forms part of a structure often mistakenly described as Mahasena's Palace or the
Queen's Pavilion.
Ratnaprasada
RUIN
Most of the 8th-century Ratnaprasada or 'Gem Palace' lies in ruins today, though it was
originally five stories high with a graceful, tiered roof. At its entrance, however, you'll find
a beautifully carved
mura gala
(guardstone), which depicts the Cobra King holding a vase
with a flowering branch, with a dwarf attendant at his feet and his head framed by a cobra
hood.
In the 8th century a new order of
tapovana
(ascetic) monks settled in the fringes of the
city, among the lowest castes, the rubbish dumps and the burial places. These monasteries
were large but unadorned structures; ornamentation was saved for toilets, now displayed at
