224 On the Ruins of Anuradhapura, [March, 



The only remaining dagobahs of which I think it necessary to speak 

 particularly, are the Jaitawanaramaya and the Sankaramaya, both of 

 them lying to the north of the ancient city, at a considerable distance 

 from the others. The sketch opposite represents the Jaitawanaramaya 

 in its present condition. In the Mahawanso it is styled the Jetawanno 

 dagobah, which as the shorter name, although it is now better known 

 by the former, I shall adopt. The Jetawanno was commenced by 

 Mahasen as a measure of retribution to the orthodox for the destruc- 

 tion which he had before caused. It was originally three hundred and 

 fifteen feet high, and is still upwards of two hundred and forty. It is 

 an enormous solid mass of masonry, and some idea of its size may be 

 obtained by reflecting that its cubic contents are upwards of 456,000 

 yards. Yet so inferior was the Jetawanno considered when compared 

 with the more imposing buildings at Anuradhapura, that the Singhalese 

 historian passes it over with two slight notices, each of a single line's 

 length. The Jetawanno does not appear ever to have attained any 

 considerable distinction either as the scene of any remarkable events, 

 or as a considerable resort of the Buddhistic priesthood. The erections 

 in its neighbourhood would appear to have been at one time highly 

 ornamented from the profusion of carved stones which lie scattered in 

 its vicinity. A massive square pillar lies by the side of the path at 

 some distance from the dagobah, which on being measured, proved to 

 be twenty-six feet long and a yard square, being cut out of a single 

 block of granite. It must be borne in mind that although composed 

 of brick, these dagobahs were originally coated with a white cement, 

 which, when polished, as they were, would give them all the appearance 

 of marble. There can be little doubt that originally they would have 

 a very imposing effect, and that especially as seen from a distance they 

 must have added great beauty and grandeur to the distant view of 

 Anuradhapura. 



Of the present condition of the Lankaramaya the accompanying 

 sketch may afford some idea. It was erected by the enthusiastic and 

 wavering Mahasen between the years 276 and 302 of our era. There can 

 be little doubt that it was modelled on the plan of the Thupharamaya, 

 but although apparently built of more durable materials, it does not at 

 all approach the original in the proportions of its columns or the excel- 

 lence of its carvings. The Lankaramaya stands, like all the other 



