This iconic dagoba, located in the ancient city of Anuradhapura, served as a pivotal center for Buddhist monasticism and scholarship during the heyday of the Anuradhapura Kingdom. Constructed in the 1st century BCE under the patronage of King Valagamba, this massive hemispherical stupa stands at a remarkable height, adorned with intricate carvings, inscriptions, and sculptures that showcase the advanced architectural and artistic skills of its time. The dagoba, flanked by a sprawling monastic complex, played a crucial role in the spread of Theravada Buddhism across the region, attracting scholars, monks, and pilgrims from distant lands.