ATAMASTHANA

There are 8 main places of worship known as ATAMASTHANA.

Sri Maha Bodhiya
Ruwanveliseya
Thuparama
Lovamahapaya
Abhayagiriya
Jetavanaramaya
Mirisavetiya
Lankaramaya

Sri Mahabodhiya

During the reign of king Devanampiyatissa Sanghamitta their brought branch of the Jaya Srimaha Bodhi. This incident took place a few months after the arrival of Mahinda Thera. The Bodhi tree was planted on a high terrace about 21 feet. It was surrounded by railings and today is the one of the most sacred place of Buddhist in sri lanka. There are other bo-trees in close proximity to this sacred bo-tree. The parapt wall around the compound where bo-tree is planted about 700ft. in length. This wall was constructed during the reign of king kirthi Sri Rajasingha to protect from wild elephants. It is the most sacred and religious place in sri lanka.

Ruwanvelisaya

King Dutugamunu became the lord of entire in Ceylon. He achieved his ambition benefactor of and build may religious building. The most best known place is Ruwanvelisaya. This is also known as swarnamali chitya, Rathnamali chaitya. This dagaba was built on firm foundation. There was recorded that inside the dagaba are enshrined valuable gems statues made of gold. Courtyard on which the stone tablets were laid is known as the salapatala courtyard. Near the Salapatala courtyard is made of sand. In four sides of the compound are the parapat walls with its figures of elephants. There are 1900 figures elephants on the wall consisting of 475 on each side. It is known as the elephant compound. The temple courtyard are the old models of Ruwanvalisayamade of stone Image house situated in the temple courtyard are 4 statues. Buddhas who have attained Buddhahood in this aeon and future Buddhas. These creations are very old. Ruwanvalisaya is situated a few yard away. Form lowamahapaya.
There is recorded in books that king Lajjitissa erected three altars in marble. King Parakramabahu the great renovated the dagaba.

Thuparamaya

Thera Mahinda introduced Theravada Buddhism and also chetiya worship to Sri Lanka. At thera Mahinda's request king Devanampiyathissa built Thuparamaya. This is the first dagaba built in Ceylon. This chetiya was destroyed from time to time. During the reign of king Agbo II It was completely destroyed we have today is the construction of the dagaba. In the course of the centuries the monument has a diameter of 59ft. at the base. The dome is 11 feet and 4 inches in height from ground. During the early period vatadage was built round the dagaba.

Lovamahapaya 

It is situated between Ruvanveliseya and sri mahabodiya. It is Known as the Brazen place or Lovamahapaya. In ancient time that was called uposathagara. There was also a simamalake. The famous Lohaprasada built by king Dutugamunu. One side of building was 400ft in length. The roof was covered with bronze. There are 40 rows. Each rows consisting of 40 stone pillars and a total of 1600 stone pillars were used for the building. This building was completely destroyed during reign of king saddhatissa.

Abhayagiri Dagaba. 

King valagamba ascended the throne in 103 A. D. King valagamba waged war with the Tamils and was defeated later king collected an army attacked the Tamils by slaying the last of their leaders. It is said that he demolished Nigantaramaya and built the Abhayagiri vihara. King valagamba's reign is maked by an important event the first schism in Buddhism in Sri Lanka. Many buhikkhus lived in Abhayagiri Vihara. The height is said to have been 140 cubits. In the year 1875 Abhayagiri vihara which had a diameter of 307 feet. The relies of Buddha is said to have been enshrined in a figure of a bull made out of thick good.

Jetavanarama

In 273 – 301 A. D. King Mahasen has the hononr of being the creater of the largest stua is sri lanka. It height is said to be 400 feet. Jetavanarama considered as the largest stupa in the whole world. The compound of the stupa is 8 acres. One side of the stupa is 576 feet and the 4 flight of steps at the four side is 28 feet in depth. There are some stone inscriptions in the courtyard with the names of donors inscribed.

Mirisaveti Stupa.

After defeating king Elara, King Dutugamunu Built the Mirisaveti stupa. After placing the Buddha relics in the scepter king dutugamunu had gone to Tisawewa for a bath. And leaving the scepter After the bath he returned the place. Where the scepter was placed and it is said that. It could not be moved. It also said that he remembered that he part took a chilly curry with out offering for sangha. In odder to punish himself he built the Mirisavetiya Dagaba. King Kasyapa I and kasyapa V renovated this dagaba.

Lankarama

Lankarama was built by king Valagamba. In an ancient place at Galhebakada. The ruins show That there are rows of stone pillars and it is no doubt that there are rows of stone pillars and it is no doubt that there has been a house built encircling the stupa to cover, Around the courtyard of the stupa seems 10 feet above the ground. Courtyard is circular in shape and the diameter is 132 feet.