Lovamahapaya

The Brazen Palace or Lovamahapaya is a 2000-year-old palace constructed by King Dutugemunu in 2nd century B.C and had 1600 stone columns that supported nine stories reaching 150 feet and sides of 400 feet length with 1000 rooms. It is also known as the Brazen Place because of the bronze tiles that were used on its roof.

Lovamahapaya was constructed as a residence for Buddhist monks who assembled on “Poya” days (poya means full moon day, in modern-day Sri Lanka poya marks a holiday) to recite the “Pirith” (Buddhist practice of reciting certain verses and scriptures in order to ward off misfortune or danger) and could accommodate 1000 monks.

One will also see roofed building, which is a replica of what the building might have looked like in its time. This building is a modern chapter house currently being used by the Maha Vihara monastic order. There is also a 45- feet rice boat cut from a stone which could historically prepare alms for 3,000 monks at a time in the Mahavihara monastery. It is convenient to visit this place as it lies between the major sites of Anuradhapura, i.e. the Maha Bodhi Temple and Ruvanveliseya. Though in ruins now, the structure is a testament of a bygone age and is a rich source of heritage and local culture.