• Source: Somawathiya Chaitya

The Somawathiya Chaitya (Sinhala: සෝමාවතිය චෛත්‍ය, Tamil: சோமாவதிய சைத்யா) is a Buddhist Stupa situated in the ancient city of Polonnaruwa, Sri Lanka. Chaitya premises is called the Somawathiya Rajamaha Viharaya.
The Somawathiya Chaitya is located within the Somawathiya National Park on the left bank of the Mahaweli River, and is believed to have been built long before the time of Dutugamunu enshrining the right canine Relic of the tooth of the Buddha. It is attributed to the reign of King Kavan Tissa - Dutugemunu's father - who ruled Magama. Somawathiya is therefore much older than Ruwanwelisaya, Mirisawetiya Vihara or Jetavanaramaya.
The stupa is named after Princess Somawathi, the sister of King Kavantissa, and the wife of regional ruler Prince Giri Abhaya. The prince built the stupa to enshrine the right tooth relic of the Buddha, obtained from Arahat Mahinda, and named the stupa after the princess. Upon completion of the stupa and other constructions, the prince and princess handed over the temple to Arahat Mahinda and other monks.




Gallery






See also


Ancient Constructions of Sri Lanka
Atamasthana
Buddhism
Mahawamsa




References






Other reading


"Over half a million attended to pooja Somawathiya pilgrims marooned by floods". Island. 2010-05-10.
"Sharp increase in income from national parks". Dailynews. 2012-12-29.
"Govt adopting only populist policies for people's welfare - President". priu.gov.lk. June 12, 2014.
"Across the river the elephants came!". Sunday Times. 6 October 2015.

Kata Kunci Pencarian:

• Somawathiya Chaitya
• Relic of the tooth of the Buddha
• Gangaramaya Temple
• Mahinda (Buddhist monk)
• Somawathiya National Park
• Adam's Peak
• S. Mahinda
• Stupas in Sri Lanka
• Rāmañña Nikāya
• Temple of the Tooth