The Abhayagiri Dagoba is a huge brick stupa built slightly over 2,000 years ago, and for centuries after that, served as the focal point of an expansive monastery complex, stretching for hectares around. The 2nd tallest Dagoba in Sri Lanka constructed by King Valagambahu (103, 89-77 B.C.). The present height with part of the pinnacle fallen down, is 235 feet and the diameter is 310 feet. According Fa-Hsien, the Thupa was 400 feet in height when he was staying at the Abhayagiriya Monastery in the 5th Century. Following neglect and partial collapse after the Chola conquest, Parakramabahu I restored the Thupa to 240 feet.
