Ruwanweliseya Dagoba is considered a marvel for its architectural qualities and sacred to Buddhists all over the world. It was built by King Dutugemunu, who united Sri Lanka after defeating Chola King Elara. This Dagoba was known as Mahathupa, Swarnamali Chaitya, Swarnamali Mahaceti (in Pali) and Ratnamali Dagoba. Also King Dutugemunu didn’t live to see its completion of Dagoba but his final sight as he lay on his deathbed could be a false bamboo-and-cloth finish was placed around the Dagoba to show his ‘completed’ masterpiece. Today, after incurring much damage from invading Indian forces, it rises 55m, considerably less than its original height; nor is its form the same as the earlier ‘bubble’ shape. A limestone statue south of the great Dagoba is popularly thought to be of King Dutugemunu. The Ruwanwelisaya is a stupa in Sri Lanka, considered a marvel for its architectural qualities and sacred to many Buddhists all over the world. It was built by King Dutugemunu c. 140 B.C., who became lord of all Sri Lanka after a war in which the Chola King Elara, was defeated. It is also known as Mahathupa, Swarnamali Chaitya, Suvarnamali Mahaceti (in Pali) and Rathnamali Dagaba. This is one of the Solosmasthana (the 16 places of veneration) and the Atamasthana (the 8 places of veneration in the ancient sacred city of Anuradhapura). The stupa is one of the world's tallest monuments, standing at 338 feet (103 m) and with a circumference of 950 ft (290 m). [1] The Kaunghmudaw Pagoda in Sagaing, Myanmar is modeled after this stupa. Coordinates: 8°21′00″N 80°23′47″E Denomination Theravada Buddhism Founded circa 140 BC Founder(s) King Dutugamunu Country Sri Lanka