A Colossus of Devotion – The Jetavanaramaya is one of the most awe-inspiring monuments in the ancient world. Standing over 120 meters tall at its zenith, it was the tallest stupa in the world at the time of its construction in the 3rd century CE and remains one of the largest brick structures globally, using more than 90 million bricks.

Commissioned by King Mahasena, this towering stupa was part of a sprawling monastic complex that once housed over 10,000 monks. Today, its reddish-orange dome rises starkly against the sky, framed by broken stone walls and banyan trees. Visitors can explore meditation walkways, ruined image houses, and ceremonial bathing pools, each offering insights into the daily lives and disciplined rituals of ancient monastic life. Jetavanaramaya embodies the grandeur of a spiritual empire, constructed with both architectural ingenuity and devotional labor.