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On sides of the path between Ruwanweli Seya and the Sri Maha Bodhi lies large number of ruins fully or partially excavated. The only ruin which generally catches the interest of the pilgrim is the 1600 granite pillars of Lovamahapaya. In front of this building on the opposite side of the road is sign board identifying the ruins as Ransimalakaya.
The ruins have been partially excavated in 1895-6 by the Royal Asiatic Society. The current state of the building indicates that this has been an open building with no walls and the roof has been supported by 8 rows of 10 granite pillars. Only few of these pillars remain today. There are entrances from all 4 sides to enter this building.
It is interesting to note that the British under their rule had built a market by the side of Ransimalakaya with a BEEF STALL to strengthen the ownership of the land of British Crown. However the beef stall was removed to another spot on the 1st of January, 1908, on account of the repeated representations from the Buddhists (Harischandra, 1908). During the time which the Beef Stall operated, this structure was used as a cattle pound and was barely saved from destruction ((Mitton, 1917).
According the brief description on the board by the Department of Archaeology, this building has been used as the meeting hall of the bhikkhus of the Maha Viharaya. The body of the Maha Mahinda Thero has been kept here before cremation.
References
- Wikramagamage, C., (2004). Heritage of Rajarata: Major natural, cultural, and historic sites. Colombo. Central Bank of Sri Lanka. p.61.
- Harischandra Brahmachāri Walisinha (1908) The Sacred City of Anuradhapura. with Forty-Six Illustrations. Colombo: The Author. p.110.
- Mitton, G.E. (1917) The lost cities of ceylon. New York, New York: Fredrick A, Stokes Company. p 91.
Also See
Map of Ransimalakaya at Anuradhapura
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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Driving Directions to Ransimalakaya at Anuradhapura
Anuradhapura can be reached through many routes from Colombo. The two main routes are through Puttalam (Puttalama) and though Kurunegala. Traveling from Puttalam you will pass scenic Wilpattu area. the From Kurunegala there are two main routes to Anuradhapura. The most common route is through Dambulla. The other route is though Galgamuwa. Out of all the routes, the commonly used is the Kurunegala – Dambulla route (Route 2).
| Route 01 from Colombo to Anuradhapura | Route 02 from Colombo to Anuradhapura |
| Through : Negombo – Chillaw – Puttalam Distance from Colombo :213 km Travel time : 4.30- 5.00 hours Driving directions : see on google map | Through : Ambepussa – Kurunegala – Dambulla Distance from Colombo : 217 km Travel time : 4.30- 5.00 hours Driving Directions : see on google maps |
| Route 03 from Colombo to Anuradhapura | Route from Kandy to Anuradhapura |
| Through : Ambepussa – Kurunegala – Padeniya – Thambuthegama Distance from Colombo :210 km Travel time : 4.30- 5.00 hours Driving directions : see on google map | Through : Katugastota – Matale – Dambulla Distance from Colombo :136 km Travel time : 3 hours Driving directions : see on google map |
T0 reach this ruin you need to enter the area through Sri Maha Bodhi or Ruwanweli Seya
| Route from Anuradhapura Railway Station to Ransimalakaya at Anuradhapura |
| Distance : 1,5 kilometers Travel time : 5 minutes Driving directions : see on google map |
