Damila Maha Seya (Demala Maha Seya)
Located on the Pollonanruwa ancient city complex, this gigantic uncompleted Stupa has been built by king Parakramabahu
(1153-1186) using the labour of Tamil (Damila) prisoners brought from India when he attacked
the Soli Kingdom in South India.
For some reason he has been unable to complete this and at a later stage a
smaller Stupa has been built upon the uncompleted semi-spherical structure.
Some believe that since this was built at two levels it was called “Demahal”
(two storied) Seya which later became “Damila” Seya.
If he had been able to complete this Stupa, this would be 186 metres (570
feet) tall and would have been the largest Buddhist monument built by man.
Its circumference of this stupa is massive 650 meters (approx). It is also
said that the king Parakramabahu wanted this monument to be seen from India
, thus the planed the size accordingly. This area was once cleared, but recently
it has been abandoned again by the authorities.
This site is rarely visited by the casual pilgrim mainly due the road leading to the stupa is in a highly dilapidated state and nothing much is left to see of the stupa. Only a 4 wheel drive can go on this road and sometimes even such vehicle may mot be able go all the way. But the walk is about 50m and worth every step.
Today this massive stupa is only a large hill overgrown with trees. There is no indication of this hill being a stupa other than a part of 3 outer rings ( Pesa Walalu) of about 10m in length. Passing these rings there is a footpath leading to the top of the stupa. The climb is not that easy but worth the effort.
The flattened top of the stupa is also overgrown with huge trees and large enough to build a football ground. In the center is the smaller stupa probably built on a later date. It is possible to climb up to the smaller stupa too and have a breathtaking view of the entire area.
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November 13, 2009
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