The First Buddhist Stupa of the Island – Built shortly after the introduction of Buddhism to Sri Lanka by Arahat Mahinda, Thuparamaya is the oldest documented stupa in the country, dating to the 3rd century BCE. Commissioned by King Devanampiyatissa, it was designed to enshrine the Buddha’s right collarbone relic, making it a site of profound religious significance.

The modestly sized stupa stands encircled by a forest of stone columns—remnants of a once-covered vatadage (circular relic house). The symmetry, simplicity, and harmony of Thuparamaya evoke the purity of early Buddhist thought. With its well-preserved relic chamber, the stupa continues to be a vital pilgrimage destination and a visual testament to the origins of Buddhist architecture in Sri Lanka.