Jetawana Stupa to be officially open for public religious performances

Standing the third tallest building around the time of the collapse of the Roman Empire, Jetavana Stupa is a monument to the ancient Sri Lankan builder. Restoration works on the Jetavana Stupa commenced in 1981 by the Central Cultural Fund. The Architectural consultancy Design Group Five International was also involved in the process.

Built by king Mahasen (275-301 AD) on the grounds where Arahat Mahinda is said to have been cremated, the original height of the Jetawana is calculated to be 404ft.

Early photograph of Jetavana, taken from Architectural remains of Anuradhapura - James G. Simither

Presently available evidence points to the fact the stupa was constructed as a series of solid layers of burnt bricks creating a monolithic structure.
The average size of the bricks used are large (18”x7”x 2-1/4”) compared to modern clay bricks. A finely graded aggregate of 70:30 sand clay mix had been used to manufacture these ancient bricks. Compression tests revealed an average strength of 650 PSI.
The bricks were bonded with a fine layer of Butter clay, (Navaneetha), The outer surface of the stupa was protected with a lime/sand plaster executed in three operations , The first leveling layer of coarse sand and lime,(5”-3”), a second layer of finer sand and lime (1.5”-2”), finished off with lime putty.

From the 18th June 2009 Jetawana Stupa will be open for public religious performances, unlike the Mirisaveti which has been plastered it seems that Jetawana will not be.

The technical data contained herein was obtained from Eng. Gamunu Silva

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