The Jetawana Dagaba (06)

   

To the east of the Mahathupa lies an enormous brick dagaba, the Jetawana Dagaba(6). This was Originally built to a height of 400 feet (120 meters) making it the 3rd largest building in the world at that time and this was the largest thupa in the world. The two taller buildings were the biggest of the Egyptian pyramids, built two thousand years before.

 

The Jetawana Dagaba is recorded as having a concrete base and foundations of brick 12 meters deep. Entering the Dagaba from the eastern gateway, the vahalkada has an excellent stele showing a naga-king and an unidentified goddess. Traces of paintings were found here at the beginning of present excavations. The aim of the cultural triangle project at the Jetavana is to conserve and to preserve and not to rebuild or restore.