Rankot Vihara, Polonnaruwa, Sri Lanka

Rankot Vihara, Polonnaruwa (29 August, 2005)


Rankot Vihara is a colossal dagoba modelled after the Ruwanweliseya of Anuradhapura. It is 55 m (180 ft) tall. Although not as huge as many of the dagobas in Anuradhapura, it is nevertheless the largest in Polonnaruwa, and 4th largest in Sri Lanka.

The Rankot Vihara was built by King Nissaka Malla as the hub of a group of buildings within the Alahana Pirivena monastic complex, which is a royal cremation ground. There is an inscription that says that the king even watched over the workmen as they built this dagoba.

Rankot Vihara, as seen from its compound (29 August, 2005)


Spire of Rankot Vihara (29 August, 2005)


The base of Rankot Vihara (29 August, 2005)


Rankot Vihara sits on a platform that looks like a turntable (29 August, 2005)


Viewing up from the base of the Rankot Vihara dagoba (29 August, 2005)

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