Standing proudly within the ancient city of Polonnaruwa, Rankoth Vehera is one of Sri Lanka’s most impressive and best-preserved stupas. Built by King Nissanka Malla in the 12th century CE, it reflects the architectural grandeur and deep spiritual devotion of the Polonnaruwa period.
Rising to a height of about 55 meters (180 feet) with a base diameter of over 170 meters, Rankoth Vehera is the largest stupa in Polonnaruwa and the fourth largest in Sri Lanka. Its name means “Golden Pinnacle Dagoba”, referring to the gilded spire that once crowned its dome. The design closely follows the form of the Ruwanwelisaya Stupa in Anuradhapura, signifying the continuation of Sri Lanka’s Buddhist traditions.
Surrounded by stone pathways and ancient monastery ruins, the stupa once served as a center for religious ceremonies and pilgrimages. Inscriptions on nearby stone slabs reveal that King Nissanka Malla himself attended rituals here, emphasizing its royal and religious importance.
Today, Rankoth Vehera remains a serene and sacred site, admired for its massive scale, symmetry, and timeless beauty — a monumental symbol of Sri Lanka’s golden age of Buddhist art and architecture.
