Ruwanwelisaya: The Great White Stupa of Anuradhapura
Ruwanwelisaya, also called the Great Stupa, was built by King Dutugemunu in the second century BCE and remains one of Anuradhapura's most beloved monuments. Its enormous white dome, ringed by a wall of stone elephants, glows against the sky. Restored over the centuries, it is still a living place of worship.
The monument
The bell shaped dome rises to a great height and is encircled by a platform where pilgrims walk clockwise in devotion. A frieze of elephant figures runs around the base wall.
Atmosphere
At dawn and dusk the white surface takes on soft colour, and the courtyard fills with worshippers in white. It is a serene place to sit quietly and watch.
Visiting tips
You must remove shoes to enter the platform, so consider going early before the stone heats up. Dress modestly, and combine the visit with the nearby Sri Maha Bodhi.
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