464 Captain Cxapman on the City of Anardjapura 
greatest veneration by the followers of Bupp’Ha. At the present moment, 
the only remaining traces of the city consist of nine temples, if I may 
so designate them; of the residence of the priests; of two very extensive 
tanks; of several smaller ones in ruins; of groupes of pillars; and of 
portions of walls, which are scattered over an extent of several miles. 
The nine temples are still held in great reverence, and are visited 
periodically by the Budd’hists: they are all situated to the westward 
of the Arippo Aar, or Arippo river, and stand at some distance from 
each other; the space between the most remote being at least three 
miles. They consist, first, of an enclosure, in which are the sacred trees, 
and which-is called the Bo Malloa or Bodin Vahansé ; second, of the 
Thousand Pillars, called the Lowa Maha Paya; and third, of seven 
mounds or Dagobas, each of which has a distinct name given by its 
founder. 
The Bo Malloa, or enclosure of the sacred trees, is by far the most 
important of these objects, the trees are not only held in reverence as 
sacred to Bupp’na, but because “ they came from Siam some centuries ago, 
and planted themselves in a miraculous manner.” 
The building itself is of granite, and consists of a series of four rectangular 
terraces, rising out of each other, and diminishing both in height and 
extent. It is quite plain, and devoid of any other ornament than a bold 
and simple moulding at the base, and cornices approaching much in cha- 
racter to the Grecian. In the centre of the side facing to the north, thirteen 
broad steps lead to an altar, on which were offerings of flowers; the terrace is 
then continued, so as to afforda passage to another flight of steps on the 
western side, which passes under a door-way, or rather arch, and leads to the 
third terrace. This door-way is stuccoed with chunam, and has some grotesque 
figures in relief upon it. Immediately opposite there is another altar, with 
offerings of flowers. The third terrace is continued so as to afford a passage 
round the fourth, which contains the holy trees. The height of this enclo- 
sure does not exceed four feet, nor does it differ in character from the 
rest. The total height of the terraces was about twenty feet.* The 
extent of the largest terrace, as ascertained by one of the party, was thirty 
paces by fifteen. 
* In the Réjaratndcari, it is said that the tree, when transferred miraculously, stood erect at 
seven cubits above the earth, which, at twenty-seven inches to the cubit, will give fifteen feet nine 
inches. 
