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
- 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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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 City | Route 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 City | Route 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 |