Located in the sacred city of Anuradhapura, Mirisawetiya Stupa is one of the oldest and most revered stupas in Sri Lanka. It was built by King Dutugemunu in the 2nd century BCE to commemorate his victory over King Elara and to enshrine sacred relics of the Buddha.
According to legend, the stupa was constructed as an act of penance — the king forgot to offer the first portion of his victory meal to the monks, as was tradition, and thus built the stupa in repentance. The name “Mirisawetiya” is said to come from the word “miris” (chili), referring to this symbolic gesture.
The stupa once stood over 60 meters high and, though restored many times, still retains its ancient majesty. Surrounded by serene gardens and ruins of monastic buildings, Mirisawetiya remains a sacred site where pilgrims gather to meditate and pay homage.
As one of the earliest monuments of Anuradhapura, Mirisawetiya represents the deep intertwining of faith, humility, and triumph — a timeless reflection of Sri Lanka’s Buddhist heritage.
