Introduction
The Rankot Vihara is a colossal dagoba modelled after the Ruwanweliseya of Anuradhapura.
It is 55 m (180 ft) tall. Although not as huge as many of the dagobas in Anuradhapura,
it is nevertheless the largest in Polonnaruwa and 4th in Sri Lanka.
The Rankot Vihara was built by King Nissaka Malla as the hub of a group of buildings
within the Alahana Pirivena monastic complex, which is a royal cremation ground.
There is an inscription that says that the king even watched over the workmen as
they built this dagoba.
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