Newly Light-up Jethawana & Ruwanweliseya Dagobas

Ruwanweliseya
This Dagaba 300 ft. in diameter was constructed by King Dutugemunu (167-137 BC) the great hero King of the Sinhalese. The original height of the dagoba was also about the same. Dutugemunu was, however, unable to complete the work on the dagoba. Broad flights of steps are at the entrance of the sand strewn courtyard as well as the paved terrace of the dagoba. The retaining wall was covered with figures of elephants in frontal aspect represented as standing cheek by jowl. At the four cardinal points of the dagoba are four vahalkadas (front pieces) which have preserved some very old sculptures. Work on this dagoba has been done time and again after the day of King Dutugemunu. The Mahawansa records that the 3 floral terraces were encased in stone work in the reign of Lajjitissa (119-109 BC).

Jethawana Dagoba This dagoba constructed by King Mahasena (274-301 AD). It is 321 ft. in height and 370 ft. diameter at the base. West of the dagoba is an image-house which is connected to the dagoba. Of this latter structure, which has had a demical roof one of the door jambs measure 26 ft. The fragments of a colossal lotus pedestal are at the site.




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