Dakkhina Stupa
Dakkhina Stupa (Sinhala: දක්ඛිණ ස්තුපය, lit. 'Dakkhiṇa Stupaya', Tamil: தக்கின தூபி, lit. 'Dakkhiṇa Thupa') is a 2nd-century BC large brick Stupa in Anuradhapura, Sri Lanka. Earlier thought to be a monument of King Elara, it was later identified as the Stupa of ancient Dakini (Dakkhina) Vihara by Senarath Paranavithana with the help of a Brahmi inscription of the 3rd century A.D. unearthed from the ground between the southern and western Vahalkadas of the Stupa.
| Dakkhina Stupa | |
|---|---|
දක්ඛිණ ස්තුපය/දකුණු දාගැබ தக்கின தூபி | |
The Stupa | |
| Religion | |
| Affiliation | Buddhism |
| District | Anuradhapura |
| Province | North Central Province |
| Location | |
| Location | Anuradhapura |
| Country | Sri Lanka |
Shown within Sri Lanka | |
| Geographic coordinates | 8°20′29.0″N 80°23′41.7″E |
| Architecture | |
| Type | Buddhist Temple |
This structure was for centuries locally known as the tomb stone of king Ellalan, known as Elara Sohona, which was worshipped by Tamils and Sinhalese. However, after this monument was identified as the Dakkhina Stupa, Paranavitana pointed out that this site could mark the cremation ground of King Dutugamunu (161 BC – 137 BC). Although, some did not agree with this identification some are in the opinion that this Stupa may have been built over the cremation site of King Dutugemunu.