Thuparamaya

  

Thuparamaya (ථූපාරාමය) is the oldest stupa in Sri Lanka, built soon after the introduction of Buddhism to the island. Constructed by King Devanampiyatissa, it enshrines the sacred collar bone relic of the Buddha — a precious gift from India that symbolizes the strong and friendly ties between the two nations during that era.

The columns surrounding the stupa were once part of a walkway supporting a roof that covered the sacred structure. Aesthetically, the interior of this ancient building must have been a remarkable display of wooden architecture and skilled craftsmanship. Its conical design, unique in the history of world architecture, continues to fascinate scholars and scientists to this day.

Archaeological discoveries around Thuparamaya — including medical texts and surgical instruments from the Anuradhapura period — reveal the advanced quality of life at the time. The practice of using stone troughs as medicinal baths to treat illnesses was common during the Anuradhapura and Polonnaruwa periods, and even before the advent of Buddhism in Sri Lanka. Patients suffering from paralysis or snake bites were immersed in baths filled with herbal infusions designed to be absorbed gradually by the body. The troughs were cleverly shaped to minimize the use of these valuable medicinal fluids.

The name Thuparamaya also refers to the residential complex built to accommodate Bhikkhus (Buddhist monks) who lived and worshipped within its sacred precincts.