The first historical dagoba, constructed by King Devanampiyatissa in the 3^rd C.B.C., enshrining the Collar Bone Relic of the Buddha. The Thupaghara (vata-da-ge) was built by King Vasabha (67-111 A.D.).

In 840A.D. the Pandyans plundered all the valuables of the Thupa. King Sena II

(853-887 A.D.) restored the Dagoba. Cholas plundered the entire vihara in the 10^th Century and Parakramabahu I restored it.

Originally this dagoba was in the ‘Paddy Heap’ shape and now it is in “Bell shape”.