Deeghawapi Maha Stupa
Description
Deeghavapi stupa is located in the Ampara Eastern province of Sri Lanka and is considered one of the sixteen most sacred places blessed by the presence of Buddha. It is believed that Buddha visited the site during his third visit to Sri Lanka and meditated with 500 Arhats. The stupa has a rich history and has undergone several renovations and restorations over the centuries.
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Deeghavapi stupa is located in the Eastern province of Sri Lanka and is considered one of the sixteen most sacred places blessed by the presence of Buddha. It is believed that Buddha visited the site during his third visit to Sri Lanka and meditated with 500 Arhats. The stupa has a rich history and has undergone several renovations and restorations over the centuries.
During his third visit to Sri Lanka, Buddha arrived at Kelaniya, invited by Mani Akkika of the Naga Tribe, the ruler of the Kelaniya region. After visiting Kelaniya, Buddha travelled to Deeghavapi with 500 Arhats and meditated at the site. This visit is significant as Deeghavapi is the sixth site in the Solosmasthana of Sri Lanka. According to the Mahavansa, an extraordinary chronicle of Sri Lanka, King Saddhatissa (137-119 BC) built the stupa at Deeghavapi. The king also donated a jacket decorated with gold lotus flowers and various gems to cover the stupa. Historian Venerable Ellawela Medananda Thero believes that the stupa enshrines a nail relic of Buddha, contrary to the general belief that it is a "paribogika" stupa with no special relics enshrined. An inscription on a gold foil unearthed during excavations discloses that King Kawanthissa (164-192) has renovated the stupa.
Deeghavapi stupa is considered one of the most sacred places in Sri Lanka due to its association with Buddha. The stupa's historical significance is also since King Saddhatissa built it, and it has undergone renovations by other kings over the centuries. The stupa's jacket, donated by King Saddhatissa, is also considered valuable. Deeghavapi is a site blessed by Buddha's presence and is considered one of the 16 places he visited in Sri Lanka. It is believed that Buddha was invited to Kelaniya by Mani Akkika, ruler of the Kelaniya region, during his second visit to Nagadeepa. On his third visit, Buddha decided to visit Deeghavapi with 500 Arhaths and meditate there. According to the Mahavansa, the extraordinary chronicle of Sri Lanka, King Saddhatissa built the stupa at Deeghavapi in 137-119 BC. The stupa is the 6th site in the Solosmasthana of Sri Lanka. The king is said to have also donated a jacket decorated with gold lotus flowers and various gems to cover the stupa.
Since Buddha's presence has blessed this location, it is generally believed that this stupa is a "paribogika" stupa, and no unique relics have been enshrined there. However, historian venerable Ellawela Medananda thero believes that this stupa enshrines a nail relic of Buddha. Moreover, an inscription on a gold foil unearthed during excavations discloses that King Kawanthissa has renovated the stupa.
Over time, the temple was neglected due to internal conflicts in the country. However, in 1756, King Keerthi Sri Rajasinghe carried out significant renovations and handed the temple over to Rev. Bandigide Negrodha thero along with 1000 'amunu' (2000-2500 acres) of land. Two stone inscriptions by King Saddhasissa and King Keerthi Sri Rajasinghe used to exist at the Deegavapi, but both of them mysteriously disappeared. A copy of the Rajasinghe inscription made in 1845 still exists today.
During the British occupation of the country, the British took over all the land belonging to the temple. In 1886, the British government agent in Batticaloa instructed to dig this 2000-year-old stupa and carried the bricks and ancient granite slabs for irrigation projects. The British used the Muslims in the area to do this work as no Buddhist would take part in destroying this revered site. In the end, only a mound was left over of this great stupa, which was left to the jungle.
In 1916, a priest called Kohukumbure Revatha thero started searching for this stupa and found some Muslims carrying bricks in carts. When inquired, he was told they were from an excellent brick mound deep in the jungle. He followed these craftsmen and found the Dageba in absolute ruins. He came back with a few Buddhists from Colombo and started redeveloping this temple area, and he also managed to reclaim 250 acres of land back to the temple. By this time, the Deegavapi area was dominated by Muslims who were given refuge in this area by King Senerath when they were harassed in the coastal areas by the Portuguese. The king not only gave them refuge but destroyed a Portuguese fort at the port called "Deeghavapi Thitha" for them to carry out their business activities freely. But in 1950, Kohukumbure Revatha thero was brutally murdered by a Muslim.
The stupa was 110 feet high when the archeological department started its renovation in 1964, but a document by Badigode Buddharakitha thero put the height to 185 feet in 1845.The current status of neglected sites and monuments varies widely depending on their location, type, and historical significance. Some neglected areas may have already suffered significant damage or destruction due to natural disasters, human activities, or the passage of time.
Preservation challenges for neglected sites and monuments are also varied and complex. Lack of funding is often a significant obstacle to practical preservation efforts. In addition, neglect and abandonment can lead to theft, vandalism, and encroachment by nearby development.
