Distance from Polonnaruwa – 8.3 km (18 minutes)

Demala Maha Seya is a large uncompleted stupa situated within the ancient city complex of Polonnaruwa. It is said to have been built by King Parakramabahu. For some reason the construction of the stupa has not been completed and a smaller Stupa has been built upon the uncompleted semi-spherical structure at a later stage. If construction had been completed, Demala Maha Seya would have been the largest Buddhist monument built by man, with a massive circumference of 650 m and height of 186 m. It is said that King Parakramabahu planned the size of this structure accordingly, in order to be seen from India. Some say the name of the stupa came up because the king used the labor of Tamil (Demala) prisoners brought from India. Others say it was called “Demahal” because it was built at two levels, which later became “Demala”.

Getting to Demala Maha Seya

From Polonnaruwa travel approximately 2.4 km along Somawathiya Road and turn to Sinhapura Road. Travel approximately 3.5 km along this route and turn to Thivanka Pilimage Road in Nissankamallapura. Demala Maha Seya is situated approximately 2 km from here.

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