Silumina Seya at Aralaganwila (අරලගංවිල වනයේ සැඟවුනු සිළුමින සෑය)

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As you travel past Aralaganwila, you will come across a gravel road witch leads to the Aralaganwila Reservoir. Before reaching the reservoir you will find the Silumina Seya archeological site in the middle of this jungle. There are no visible  directions to this site therefore a GPS map will be your only guide. If you pass the turn off to this site, you will end-up at the picturesque Aralaganwila Reservoir which is not bad either.

The main attraction of the site is the Silumina Seya stupa which lies on an elevated square pedestal. The importance  of this site in the middle of the jungle is that the largest “Gal Chatraya” also known as “Chatra Gala” or “Gal Kude” (Stone Umbrella) recovered in Sri Lanka.These were used as the pinnacle of earliest stupas built in the country.

This large Chatra Gala can be seen today on the side of the preserved stupa. Near it is the granite pillar (Yupa Kanuwa) which held the Chatra Gala broken in to 3 pieces. There are parts of 2 other Chatra Gal in the same area. parts of 2 more Yupa Kanu which supported these stone umbrellas.

Originally this stupa has had 4 umbrellas. THere is a large stone seat and a stone altar divided into four sections.. There are also stone slabs with the sacred footprint around the stupa (Wikramagamage, 2004).

According to the archaeology board at the site this stupa has been renovated by king Agbo VIII (804-815 CE).

The Silumini Seya premises was probably an large monastery at its peak considering the large amount of pillars found in the jungles surrounding the stupa. These pillars are much larger in size and height  compared to pillars found in similar sites. The buildings which would have been supported by these gigantic pillars would have been quite large.

References

  1. Wikramagamage, C., (2004). Heritage of Rajarata: Major natural, cultural, and historic sites. Colombo. Central Bank of Sri Lanka. pp 257-258.

Also See

Map of Silumina Seya at Aralaganwila

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The map above also shows other places of interest within a approximately 20 km radius of the current site. Click on any of the markers and the info box to take you to information of these sites

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Travel Directions to Silumina Seya at Aralaganwila

The modern town of Polonnaruwa is also known as New Town, and the other part of Polonnaruwa remains the royal ancient city of the Kingdom of Polonnaruwa.

Route from Colombo to Polonnaruwa Sacred CityRoute from Kandy to Polonnaruwa Sacred City
Through : Central Highway – Kurunegala – Dambulla
Distance from Colombo :230 km
Travel Time : 4.45 hours
Driving Directions : see on Google map
Through : Matale – Dambulla – Habarana
Distance : 140 km
Travel Time : 3.5 hours
Driving Directions : see on Google maps
Route from Anuradhapura to Polonnaruwa Sacred CityRoute from Batticaloa to Polonnaruwa Sacred City
Though : Maradankadawala – Habarana
Distance : 103 km
Travel Time : 2 hours
Driving Directions : see on Google map
Though : Chenkaladi – Valachchena
Distance : 97 km
Travel Time : 2 hours
Driving Directions : see on Google map
Route from Polonnaruwa to Silumina Seya at Aralaganwila
Distance :  29 km
Travel time : 50 mins
Driving directions : see on google map

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