Rediscovering the Mihinda Maha Stupa: A Sacred Relic of Ancient Sri Lanka

Nestled in the historic complex of Mihintale, within the Anuradhapura District, lies the Mihinda Maha Stupa—a smaller but deeply significant stupa believed to have been built by King Uttiya, the successor of King Devanampiyatissa. This stupa was constructed to enshrine the sacred relics of Arahant Mahinda, the great Buddhist monk who introduced Buddhism to Sri Lanka in the 3rd century BCE.

The rediscovery of this stupa is a fascinating tale of archaeological perseverance, led by the renowned scholar and archaeologist Dr. Senarat Paranavitana. What initially appeared as a mere heap of debris was, in fact, a ruined stupa of immense historical and religious importance.

The Excavation and Rediscovery

In 1951, Dr. Paranavitana and his team began excavating the site, uncovering the stupa’s base along with two flights of limestone steps and brick wing walls. These steps connected the Mahaseya stupa’s stone-paved courtyard to the terrace where this more miniature stupa stood.

Among the most remarkable discoveries was a polished black earthenware relic casket, described by Paranavitana as a unique artifact not previously found in Sri Lanka or India. This cylindrical casket, standing 5 3/8 inches tall, consisted of three fitted pieces: a lid and two compartments.

The Relic Casket’s Contents

  1. Upper Compartment:
    • A gold foil reliquary shaped like a miniature stupa (1 ¼" tall).
    • Inside were bone fragments, ash, beads, and trinkets.
  2. Lower Compartment:
    • Another miniature stupa-shaped reliquary (without a chattra).
    • More bone fragments and ash.
    • Amalaka-shaped beads made of crystal and carnelian.

Paranavitana noted that the stupa design of the reliquary resembled the earliest stupas at Sanchi, India, dating back to the 3rd or 2nd century BCE. This aligns with the Brahmi inscriptions found on bricks at the site, suggesting the stupa’s original construction during King Uttiya’s reign.

The Relic Chamber and Later Renovations

Further excavations revealed a relic chamber at the stupa’s center, measuring 6 inches square and 3.5 feet tall, with plaster-coated brick walls. Inside, archaeologists found:

  • A bronze Buddha image (5 ¾" tall) in dhyana mudra, exquisitely preserved.
  • Two smaller gold-foiled Buddha images (2" and 2.5" tall).
  • Three ritual lamps, reflecting the symbolic significance of the number three.
  • A stone chattra covering a terracotta miniature stupa, inside which was another gold reliquary (5 ¾" tall) containing pearls, coral, and a golden flower.

The style of the Buddha images and reliquary suggests that the stupa was renovated in the 7th or 8th century CE, nearly a millennium after its original construction.

Conclusion: A Stupa of Two Eras

The Mihinda Maha Stupa stands as a testament to two distinct historical periods:

  1. Original Construction (3rd–2nd century BCE): Built by King Uttiya to enshrine Arahant Mahinda’s relics.
  2. Renovation (7th–8th century CE): The stupa was reconstructed, preserving the original relics while adding new sacred deposits.

This stupa not only honors the legacy of Arahant Mahinda but also showcases the evolution of Buddhist art and architecture in Sri Lanka. Its discovery underscores the island’s rich spiritual heritage and the enduring reverence for its ancient Buddhist traditions.

Visiting Mihinda Maha Stupa Today

For those exploring Mihintale, this stupa remains a must-visit site, offering a glimpse into Sri Lanka’s profound Buddhist history. The serene surroundings and archaeological wonders make it a place of both historical intrigue and spiritual reflection.

Would you like to visit this sacred site? Share your thoughts in the comments below!


THE AUTHOR BY: I.D.M.V.B.ILANGANTHILAKA 

https://www.youtube.com/@StellarPath0722

https://www.pinterest.com/wimukthibi/_pins/

https://www.youtube.com/@SkylineNook-z7y

Location: Mihintale, Sri Lanka

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