Jetawanaramaya Complex

The Jetawanaramaya temple complex is spread over an area of nearly 200 acres. This area has been well established as a place of worship for buddhists. This was founded by King Mahasen in the third century. There are few sites that can be seen in this temple complex. Most of the sites have been excavated and reconstructed for people to see. Some of the main sites are Jetawana dagoba, Sannipatha sala (Assembly hall), Uposatha ghara (Chapter house), Gedi ge (Brick house) etc.

Jetawana Dagoba

Jetawana dagoba was built by King Mahasen in third century. A part of a sash or belt tied by the Buddha is believed to be the relic that is enshrined here. Jetawana stupa is the largest extant monument in brick in the world. Originally the stupa is supposed to have been of 400 ft in height. But now due to the damaged pinnacle rings the height is about 232ft. The excavations shows that the stupa had been erected on a nature made stone pavement which was underground. Jetawana has the all the features of a stupa. There is an outer wall encircles the stupa. Then there are four entrance in four directions followed with a the sand pavement (Wali maluwa). Elephant wall comes next. The stupa has the square enclosure and then the pinnacle rings. The dagoba covers an area of 8 acres. 


Uposatha Ghara

Jetawana Uposatha Ghara (Chapter house) is similar in structure to Lovamahapaya (brazen palace), But this is smaller in size. However the stone columns indicate that this had been a storeyed building.


Jetawana Gedi Ge ( Brick House)

This is situated near the Jetawana dagoba. Two stone pillars each around 27 ft tall can be found on the either side of the door. One pillar is made by fitting together four pillars.The other one is a combination of two pillars. The amazing fact is that they haven't use any plaster to combine those. Inside of this is a lotus seat which believed to had a standing statue of Buddha. In the lotus seat there are compartmentalized deposit vessels can be seen. Inside those stone chambers valuables items would have been deposited.

Sannipata Sala (Assembly Hall)

This buildings boundary is made of granite. The surface of the stone is also leveled and smoothed. In  the center there is a stone platform. Three are stone pillars which suggest that there might have been a roof.