World by City

Temples & religious sites

Ruwanweli Maha Saya

Open in Maps
Ruwanweli Maha Saya

Ruwanweli Maha Saya

This is a large Buddhist stupa located in Anuradhapura, built around 140 BCE by King Dutugemunu. It is visited primarily for its religious significance, historical, and architectural significance, as it is said to enshrine the largest quantity of the Buddha's relics.

Getting There

The stupa is located within the sacred city area of Anuradhapura. From the city centre, it is accessible via a short tuk-tuk ride or bicycle trip, typically taking about 5 to 10 minutes depending on the exact starting point.

Visit Duration

Allow approximately 1 to 2 hours to walk around the base of the stupa and observe the surrounding courtyard and shrines.

When to Visit

Early morning or late afternoon is recommended to avoid the midday heat, as the area around the stupa is open and exposed to the sun. The site can become crowded during Poya (full moon) days and other Buddhist religious festivals.

Nearby Attractions

Due to its central location in the ancient city, this site can be combined with several other nearby landmarks:

  • Anuradhapura Museum: 0.4km
  • Thuparamaya: 0.6km
  • Jetavanaramaya: 0.8km
  • Dakkhina Stupa: 1km

Updated September 8, 2026 · Edited by the World by City editors

Tickets & tours

Admission prices and opening hours change often, so we don't list them here. Check what's on sale and at what price below — booking ahead can cut the queue at some places.

GetYourGuide GetYourGuide 클룩 Klook Tiqets Tiqets KKday KKday WeGoTrip WeGoTrip

This place may not appear in the results — some sites are free to enter or sell tickets only at the gate.

Stays near Ruwanweli Maha Saya

Sorted by distance, walkable ones first. Distances are straight-line.

Map and place data © OpenStreetMap contributors

Ruwanweli Maha Saya Nearby stays

Check prices and availability on the booking sites.

Pick your dates — we'll search Anuradhapura hotels for you

Choose dates and guests, and the buttons below will open search results with your criteria. Prices differ between sites, so compare before you book.

View on Compare sites 부킹닷컴 View on Booking.com 호텔스닷컴 View on Hotels.com

Hotel membership

Staying at Accor hotels often? ALL Accor+ Explorer

A paid annual membership. It includes two free nights a year across Asia-Pacific, 30% off dining and 15% off drinks, and 15% off stays at more than 4,500 hotels worldwide.

Explore the membership

Itineraries including this place

2 nights, 3 days

Anuradhapura 3-Day Itinerary (2 Nights)

A 3-day route through Anuradhapura grouped by daily travel distance for optimal sightseeing.

Good to visit alongside

Anuradhapura Museum

Museums & galleries

Anuradhapura Museum

An archaeological museum in Anuradhapura, the oldest and largest run by Sri Lanka's Department of Archaeology. It's a great place to trace the city's history through its ancient artifacts.

0.4 km away
Thuparamaya

Temples & religious sites

Thuparamaya

Built when Buddhism was first introduced to Sri Lanka, this is recorded as the island's oldest Buddhist temple. In Anuradhapura, it offers a glimpse into the very beginnings of Sri Lankan Buddhism.

0.6 km away
Jetavanaramaya

Temples & religious sites

Jetavanaramaya

A massive stupa within the ruins of Jetavana Monastery in the World Heritage city of Anuradhapura. It was the tallest stupa in the world at the time of its completion, and its scale remains impressive.

0.8 km away
Dakkhina Stupa

Temples & religious sites

Dakkhina Stupa

A large 2nd-century BC brick stupa remaining in Anuradhapura. It was once believed to be a monument to a different king, but was later identified as the tower of an ancient temple.

1.0 km away
Mahamevnāwa Park in Anuradhapura

Parks & gardens

Mahamevnāwa Park in Anuradhapura

A historic royal garden in Anuradhapura, said to be linked to the king credited with creating Sri Lanka's first garden. It's a pleasant place to stroll and take in the atmosphere of the ancient city.

1.3 km away
Vessagiri

Heritage & monuments

Vessagiri

An ancient Buddhist forest monastery ruin set among the rocky outcrops south of Isurumuniya in Anuradhapura. Founded under King Devanampiya Tissa and greatly expanded under King Kashyapa, it once housed over 500 monks, and traces of meditation cells carved into the rocks can still be seen.

1.4 km away