As in the case of many other Sinhala terms, there are various transliteration of the name of this stupa, e.g. Mirisaweti or Mirisawatiya. Why do we choose „Mirisavaeti“? This is the spelling that comes closest to the correct spelling. The „ae“ is a typical Sinhala vowel, it’s a sound similar to the „a“ in English „share“ or „bear“. Transliterations of foreign words with „ae“ are well-known in English, if those words are of Greek or Latin origin, for example haemoglobine or archaeology. So why not use the „ae“ for transcribing a Sinhala word? But it has to be conceded, this is not a common of spelling Sinhala terms in English.
In a way, Mirisavaeti was built to commemorate the capture of Anuradhapura by King Dutugaemunu, who previouslyy had ruled only over the southern part of Sri Lanka. When he took a refreshing bath after his victory, he placed his royal lance with Buddhist relics at the site of the later dagoba. The relics were given to him by Buddhist monks to ensure his victory and the reconquest of Anuradhapura and reestablishment of Buddhist rule in the Sinhalese capital. Returning from his bath, the king could not not move his lance any more. This was taken as an indication that the relics had decided where to be kept finally. Accordingly, the stupa was errected at the spot to enshrine them here. |
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