Sandahiru Seya Explained

Sandahiru Seya
සදහිරු සෑය
Map Type:Sri Lanka
Coordinates:8.3384°N 80.394°W
Religious Affiliation:Theravada Buddhism
Country:Sri Lanka
Founded By:Mahinda Rajapaksa
Year Completed:2021
Height Max:86

Sandahiru Seya is a second largest hemispherical stupa in Sri Lanka located in Anuradhapura.

History

The stupa was built in commemoration of the fallen war heroes of the Sri Lanka Armed Forces in Sri Lankan Civil War which was ended in 2009.[1]

The foundation stone was laid by President Mahinda Rajapaksa on 22 November 2010.[2] The work was completed and the stupa was opened by President Gotabaya Rajapaksa and Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa on 18 November 2021.[3]

This is the largest dagoba built in Sri Lanka after the construction of the Jethavanaramaya in Anuradhapura by King Mahasen in AD 301. The pagoda’s structural completion was carried out with the support of hundreds of Army, Navy, Air Force, Police and Civil Security Department personnel of respective security establishments. The stupa is 282.5order=flipNaNorder=flip high and 800feet in circumference. Stupa houses the sacred relics including the Kapilavastu relics. The height of the Crest Gem placed in the dagoba is 3.5order=flipNaNorder=flip. There are 1895 gemstones, inlaid with gold as well as pearls.[4]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Gigantic ‘Sanda Hiru Seya’ Offered to Maha Sangha Immortalizing Memories of ‘Ranaviru’ Sacrifices . army.lk/ . 2021-11-24.
  2. Web site: Sandahiru Seya in Anuradhapura unveiled for the worship of devotees . colombopage.com . 2021-11-24.
  3. Web site: President, PM to unveil Sandahiru Seya for devotees . dailynews.lk . 2021-11-24.
  4. Web site: Sandahiru Seya in Anuradhapura unveiled for the worship of devotees . colombopage.com . 2021-11-24.