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. Buddhist monastic architecture in Sri Lanka]
Jetavanaramaya and Thuparamaya are distinct in their architectural materials and structures. The construction of Thuparamaya was notably of clay mixture and brick, plastered with a lime mortar layer. These bricks were relatively smaller and extremely irregular as opposed to Jetavanaramaya's construction bricks. Moreover, in the building of Thuparamaya, the bricks were somewhat haphazard, rendering the stupa a rustic architectural design. On the other hand, the building technique used in building Jetavanaramaya were more advanced. The construction of the building used baked bricks formally referred to as water-baked bricks, which were larger and regular as opposed to the Thuparamaya bricks. These bricks were laid precisely and orderly, thus rendering the stupa a more refined architectural design. Substantially, the mortar used in construction of Jetavanaramaya was made from sugarcane juice and lime, thus, the structure's durability.[Laxshmi and Hardy. Bridging heaven and earth]
Jetavanaramaya and Thuparamaya significantly vary in terms of their aesthetics. Jetavanaramaya has an ornate and elaborate appearance and is decorated with different embellishment attributes such as intricate carvings, paintings, and statues. Such carvings portray Buddhist mythology scenes, which are incredibly intricate and detailed. Moreover, Jetavanaramaya is decorated with terraces, giving it a more massing and grandeur outlook. Significantly, the structure represents ancient Sri Lankan complex architecture and depicts the creativity and skills of that era's builders. On the other hand, Thuparamaya is simpler and more rustic in terms of appearance and has minimal adornment elements. The decoration of the stupa consists of fewer simple carvings like guard stones and moonstones found at the stupa's entrance. However, Thuparamaya carvings are discreet and small, not overwhelming the general stupa's design.[Thomas, Gavin, and Sally McLaren. The Rough Guide to Sri Lanka. London: Rough Guides, 2018.]
The ancient Kingdom of Sri Lanka was the center of architecture, culture, and art. It encompassed various religions and cultures, and the reflection of such diversity is evident in the construction and design of the country's buildings. As mentioned earlier, Jetavanaramaya and Thuparamaya are the most important Sri Lankan historical buildings constructed during the era. They share similarities and distinctions in their designs based on their cultural backgrounds.[Ranaweera, Munidasa P. Stupas of sri lanka: A technological study. Colombo: S. Godage & Brothers (Pvt.) Ltd, 2018.]
The Jetavanaramaya was fundamental in showing the Kingdom's head's wealth and power. The more advanced building materials and techniques used in constructing the stupa represented the changing technology and culture of Sri Lanka during that particular era. Jetavanaramaya is among the largest brick architectural structures globally and a masterpiece architectural structure of ancient Sri Lanka. The Buddhist religion, which dominated the ancient Sri Lankan kingdom, greatly impacted the construction and architectural design of the Jetavanaramaya. However, the ornate grandeur and outlook of the stupa represent the Sri Lankan changing cultural values during the era. As mentioned, the building is embellished with different adornment elements like intricate paintings, statues, and carvings. Such decorative features display Buddhist mythology scenes and culture, which are greatly intricate and detailed. The decorated variety of terraces depicts massing and grandeur, the dominant design during the period.
The Jetavanaramaya spatial layout and function depict Sri Lankan changing cultural landscape during the ancient period. The ...