Comparative Analysis of the Architecture of Jetavanaramaya and Thuparamaya

Comparative Analysis of the Architecture of Jetavanaramaya and Thuparamaya
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Jetavanaramaya and Thuparamaya are considered the most outstanding historical architectural structures in Sri Lanka. The two buildings are Buddhist stupas, developed in the ancient Anuradhapura era, notably referred to as the country's golden age in Buddhist history. A stupa is a vital attribute of different Buddhist temples, and they are the most crucial structures architecturally. These structures provide the abode for Buddha's sacred relics and are a landmark for sacred spots at which specific important events linked to the religion transpired and were held in high reverence by Buddhists. Even though the construction of the buildings was meant to serve the same religion, they vary in terms of functions, materials, aesthetics, structures, and spatial layouts. This essay will critically compare and contrast the architecture of Jetavanaramaya and Thuparamaya from various perspectives to identify their unique architectural features. The paper will also examine the cultural background of the design and construction techniques to delineate how and why the buildings are similar but different within respect to their design.
King Devanampiya is renowned for building Thuparamaya during the third century BCE, the main Buddhist stupa in Sri Lanka. The Thuparamaya was to serve as an accommodation for Buddha's right collarbone relics. In that context, it was revered as the most significant religious building for Buddhists, known for attracting scores of pilgrims. On the other hand, the construction of Jetavanaramaya is attributed to King Mahasena during the third century CE. The sole function of Jetavanaramaya was to accommodate the Buddha relic, his alms bowl. In addition, Jetavanaramaya’s construction scale proves substantially more significant than that of Thuparamaya. It is arguably the most prominent Buddhist stupa in Sri Lanka because it represents King's wealth and power.[Greaves, Laxshmi Rose, and Adam Hardy. Bridging heaven and earth: Art and architecture in South Asia, 3rd century BCE-21st century CE: Research presented at the Twenty-Third Conference of the European Association for South Asian Archaeology and art, Cardiff, 2016, volume 2, Architecture, sculpture, painting. New Delhi: Dev Publishers & Distributors, 2020.] [Seneviratna, Anuradha, and Benjamin Polk. Buddhist monastic architecture in Sri Lanka: (The woodland shrines). New Delhi: Abhinav Publications, 1992.]
Thuparamaya consists of a relatively simple spatial layout. The building has a circular base, a hemispherical dome, and a cylindrical drum. While the building's dome has a pinnacle at the top, a terrace surrounds the entire structure. Also, this architectural structure has concentric walls and a moat which forms the stupa's sacred compound. On the other hand, Jetavanaramaya consists of a more sophisticated spatial layout. It entails a robust circular base, a conical dome, and a cylindrical drum. At the top of the dome is a pinnacle embellished with a golden umbrella. Moreover, just like the Thuparamaya, the building has several concentric walls engulfing it as well as a moat that sacredly encloses the stupa.[Anuradha and Polk...