Concise Mahavamsa Ruwan Rajapakse, P.E., Sinhalanet.com 1

Recommendations

Info

Concise Mahavamsa Ruwan Rajapakse, P.E., Sinhalanet.com 38 Loha Pasada (Today known as Lowa Maha Paaya): King Dutugamunu’s next project was magnificent Lowa Maha Paaya. This was a nine story building constructed for Buddhist monks. It was 100 cubit long 100 cubit wide and 100 cubit tall. (Author’s Note: Cubit is approximately 18 inches. Hence Lowa Maha Paaya is 150 feet in length, width and height. 150 feet is approximately 50 yards or half the length of a soccer field. Today only the Granite columns at the base exist. One would be able to see all 1,600 columns few feet away from Sri Maha Bodhi. Length and width given by Mahavamsa agrees with the existing footprint. Unfortunately height can not be verified but one sees no reason to doubt the Mahavamsa account). Loha Pasada (Lowa Maha Paaya) had nine stories and had 1,000 rooms. Roof of the Lowa Maha Paaya was constructed using Copper and the name Loha Pasada was given. (Loha is Copper or steel in Sinhalese). Lowa Maha Paaya was given to Maha Sangha (Buddhist monks) by King Dutugamunu. Construction of Mahathupa (Ruwan Vali Saaya): (Mahavamsa refers to Ruwan Vali Saaya as “Mahathupa” and that name would be used here in. Mahavamsa occasionally uses the word “Sonnamali” as well. Today “Sonnamali” has been converted to Ruwan Vali Saaya). Construction of Mahathupa started on the full moon day of the month of Vesak. King Dutugamunu had the workers dug a 7 cubit deep excavation. (Approximately 10.5 feet). He had soldiers brought in round stones and had them crushed with hammers. Crushed stones were placed at the bottom of the excavation and compacted using elephants. Crushed Stones Crushed stone thickness is not given in Mahavamsa. 10.5 ft (dimension is given in Mahavamsa) 500 ft (Dimension is not given in Mahavamsa, but can be estimated using the existing footprint). Elephants had their feet bound with leather to protect their feet. Fine clay was brought in from a nearby river. This clay was known as butter clay since it was very fine. King Dutugamunu ordered to spread butter clay on top of crushed stones.
Concise Mahavamsa Ruwan Rajapakse, P.E., Sinhalanet.com 39 Crushed Stones Butter Clay 10.5 ft 500 ft After placement of the butter clay layer, King ordered to bring bricks. Bricks were placed on top of the butter clay layer. Bricks On top of bricks, mesh of iron was placed. 500 ft Mountain crystals were placed on top of iron bars. Mountain Crystals Iron Bars Bricks Butter Clay Crushed Stones 500 ft 10.5 ft 10.5 ft Another layer of stones was placed on top of mountain crystals. On top of stones, 8” thick copper plate was placed. Copper plate was sprayed Arsenic and Sesame oil.
Page 1 and 2: Concise Mahavamsa Ruwan Rajapakse,
Page 37: Concise Mahavamsa Ruwan Rajapakse,
Page 89 and 90:
Concise Mahavamsa Ruwan Rajapakse,
Page 91 and 92:
Page 93 and 94:
Page 95 and 96:
Page 97 and 98:
Page 99 and 100:
Page 101 and 102:
Page 103 and 104:
Page 105 and 106:
Page 107 and 108:
Page 109 and 110:
Page 111 and 112:
Page 113 and 114:
Page 115 and 116:
Page 117 and 118:
Page 119 and 120:
Page 121 and 122:
Page 123 and 124:
Page 125 and 126:
Page 127 and 128:
Page 129 and 130:
Page 131 and 132:
Page 133 and 134:
Page 135 and 136:
Page 137 and 138:
Page 139 and 140:
Page 141 and 142:
Page 143 and 144:
Page 145 and 146:
Page 147 and 148:
Page 149 and 150:
Page 151 and 152:
Page 153 and 154:
show all

Concise Mahavamsa Ruwan Rajapakse, P.E., Sinhalanet.com 1

Create successful ePaper yourself

Delete template?

Save as template?