Mirisawetiya Stupa
A large restored white stupa built by King Dutugemunu beside the Tissa Wewa reservoir, a peaceful and less crowded corner of the ancient city.
Within the sacred city of Anuradhapura, the Mirisawetiya Stupa carries one of the more charming origin stories among the ancient capital's great monuments, built by King Dutugemunu in the 2nd century BCE following his historic defeat of the Chola King Elara. According to the Mahavamsa, Dutugemunu had made a personal vow that he would always offer a portion of his meal to monks before eating himself, a discipline he maintained faithfully until one day, absorbed in enjoying a chili curry, locally called miris, he forgot his promise entirely. Overcome with guilt at breaking his own vow, he built this stupa as an act of atonement, and the name Mirisawetiya, tied directly to that forgotten curry, has stuck ever since.
A slightly different version of the legend ties the stupa's founding to Dutugemunu's military campaign instead, recounting how the king, after placing a sceptre containing Buddha relics at this spot, went to bathe in nearby Tissa Wewa, only to find upon his return that the sceptre could not be moved, taking the sign as instruction to build a stupa on the very spot. Whichever telling holds closer to truth, Mirisawetiya today stands roughly 59 meters tall with a diameter of 42 meters, and to its northwest, a set of imposing stone columns marks the remains of what was once a substantial chapter house belonging to the surrounding monastic complex.
Set within easy walking distance of several of Anuradhapura's other great stupas, Mirisawetiya offers visitors a quieter, less crowded counterpart to sites like Ruwanwelisaya, its slightly smaller scale and genuinely human origin story, a king's small failure turned into an act of devotion, giving it a particular warmth among the ancient city's more monumental religious architecture.
At a glance
- Entry fee: Covered by the Anuradhapura sacred city ticket, around USD 25
- Opening hours: Daylight hours
- Time needed: 30 to 45 minutes
- Best time: Late afternoon
Getting there
On the western side of the sacred city, near Tissa Wewa.
Frequently asked questions
- How much does it cost to visit Mirisawetiya Stupa?
- Covered by the Anuradhapura sacred city ticket, around USD 25.
- What are the opening hours at Mirisawetiya Stupa?
- Daylight hours.
- How long should I spend at Mirisawetiya Stupa?
- Plan for 30 to 45 minutes.
- When is the best time to visit Mirisawetiya Stupa?
- Late afternoon.
- How do I get to Mirisawetiya Stupa?
- On the western side of the sacred city, near Tissa Wewa.