The Tissamaharam Raja MahaVihara is one of the largest dagobas (stupa) in Sri Lanka. A stupa is a Buddhist dome-shaped religious monument found largely on the Indian subcontinent and called a dagoba in Sri Lanka.
The Tissamaharam Raja Maha Vihara was built in the 2nd century BCE by King Kavan Tissa in Ruhuna (part of Yala National Park). The site was consecrated by Buddha himself, who spent some time in meditation there with 500 arhats (individuals who have reached enlightenment)
