Name: Demala Maha Seya
Address: Polonnaruwa, Sri Lanka, LK
Telephone: +94 272 222 222

Demala Maha Seya is a point of interest, located at Polonnaruwa, Sri Lanka. They can be contacted via phone at +94 272 222 222 for more detailed information.

Location :

Polonnaruwa

Contacts :

Added by Jopie, at 11 December 2016

Add email
Add business description
Add website
Add Social Media
Add Products and Services

Anonymous

03 March 2019

Lagesest man made statu in Asia.
Anonymous

14 January 2019

The excavation project of Demalamaha seya Stupa
As it was described in the ancient chronicle
ahawansa, the stupa named "Demalamaha
seya" was with a height of approximately 1300
cubit. Presently this brick built stupa has a
perimeter of 600 meters and a height of 25.65
s. The excavation a
nd the conservation
project of the Demalamaha Seya was
commenced by the Central Cultural Fund in
2014
Anonymous

26 November 2018

A huge structure, but under conservation currently. Covered with scaffolding all around. Nothing much is visible.
Anonymous

27 March 2018

There were several theories to explain the authenticity of this place. However the popular theory is this giant Stupa was built by King Parakramabahu the Great by using Tamil prisoners which ultimately named the Stupa as Demala maha seya.

Reconstruction is carried out in the place and when the process completed it will be the biggest Stupa in Polonnaruwa ancient city.
Anonymous

15 March 2018

Largest Buddha stupa in polonnaruva era.
Anonymous

26 February 2018

Half a day is enough. We rented a bike which was a great choice. Notice you can’t go back after every checkpoint.
Anonymous

23 January 2018

Not very ineresting, a crumbling pile of bricks buried under the earth. Maybe will be more interesting when excavations will be completed.
Anonymous

07 January 2018

Located on the Polonnaruwa ancient city complex, this gigantic uncompleted Stupa has been built by king Parakramabahu (1153-1186) using the labour of Tamil (Demala) 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 “Demala” Seya.

Had this Stupa been completed 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 alleged that the king Parakramabahu wanted this monument to be seen from India, thus the planed the size accordingly. 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 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.
Anonymous

03 January 2018

This is the last stop in the ancient site. And the Buddha statues there are really impressive.
Anonymous

27 September 2017

Must see in sri lanka!
Anonymous

23 August 2017

מומלץ מאוד לקחת אופניים בצד אחד ולהשאיר בצד שני.
לקחת הרבה מים קחו את הזמן.
לחץ זמן רק הורס את הטיול.
Anonymous

13 August 2017

If you want to see one of the best archaeological excavations visit this site. To see the excavation pits you must climb the stupa and there are three pits excavated by Dr. Nimal Perera and Mr. Mel.
Anonymous

07 February 2017

The massive pesa walalu of the stupa

Located on the Pollonanruwa ancient city complex, this gigantic uncompleted Stupa known as Damila Maha Seya (Demala Maha Seya) has been built by king Parakramabahu (1153-1186) using the labor 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 meters (570 feet) tall and would have been the largest Buddhist monument built by man. The 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.

Damila Maha Seya (Demala Maha Seya) 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 not 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 Damila Maha Seya (Demala Maha Seya) 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.
Anonymous

18 December 2016

This is kind of a Sthupa.