Ancient Architecture of Sri Lanka/ Jethawanaramaya and Miriswetiya

3. Jethawanaramaya

The construction of the Jetavana Cytiya, commenced by king Mahasena was completed by his son Maghavanna. This was the largest Cytiya at Anuradhapura which, was originally 400 feet high. At present the height of the Cytiya is 231

It’s the highest dagaba in Sri Lanka and built in 3rd centaury A.D by king Mahasen (Mahasena). Originally it was about 400 feet high. It is situated in Nandana Uyana (garden). There are several opinions to the creation of the Name Jethawanaramaya and one of them is that a part of the robe wore by Lord Buddha is kept inside the dagaba as a relic. The dagaba is being reconstructed under the Cultural Triangle Project.

4. Miriswetiya

This was the first Cytiya built by king Dutugemunu who later built the famous Ruwanweliseya. According to the Mahavamsa king Gajaba (114-136) made a mantle to the Cytiya and gave land for the maintenance of the viharaya which King Voharikatissa (209-231) restored the umbrella of the Cytiya and built a wall, too.44 This Cytiya too was damaged by the Chola invaders and king Parakramabahu renovated it to a height of 120 feet 45.At the time of the present renovation the diameter of the base was 168 feet.The monastery at the beginning appears to have been affiliated to the Mahavihara and had gradually developed into a monastery of its own. But it continued as part of the Mahavihara and had gradually developed into a monastery of its own. But it continued as part of the Mahavihara fraternity. The chronicle does not give any light as to the nature of the relations that had existed between the Mahavihara and other monasteries like the Thuparama and the Mirisawetiya which belonged to the same fraternity. The Mahavamsa mentions that king Dutugamunu after building the Cytiya built an Uposatha hall and caused the Sangha to reside there 46 Another massive prasada was erected by the side of the Mirisawetiya by king Kasiyapa(650-59)and caused a "Mahathera" to live there and granted a village for the supply of necessities47 king Kasiyapa(914-23) had restored the vihara which had been destroyed with its various buildings and granted villages for the maintenance of the Bhikku residing there48 king Mahinda(956-72) had built a prasada called Chandana Prasada to house the keshadatu or hair relic49 As mentioned elsewhere this keshadatu was brought to Sri Lanka during the time of king Moggalana(495-513) and was kept in a house close to the king's place and annual festivals were conduct in honour of it after conducting the hair rely to Jetavanarama. It is clear by the time of king Mahinda that a separate mansion at the monastery of the Mirisawetiya was constructed to house mis relic. It is not yet clear as to when this relic was brought under the preview of the Mirisawetiya of the Mahavihara fraternity from the Jetavana fraternity.