![Ruins of the Western Monastery 'A' of Ancient Anuradhapura](https://i0.wp.com/amazinglanka.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/western-a-01.jpg?resize=640%2C360&ssl=1)
A special type of vihara complexes are found western and northwestern suburbs of the city of ancient Anuradhapura. They are variously referred to as ‘Outer Circular Road Palaces‘, ‘Western Ruins‘ or ‘Western Monasteries‘, ‘Double-platform buildings‘, ‘Tapovana Monasteries‘, ‘Padhanagara Monasteries‘ etc., The distinctive feature of these buildings are that their central structure is made up of 2 segments, a prasada and a malaka connected through a narrow passage.
Padhanaghara monasteries found west of Anuradhapura Ancient City are identified as
- Western Monastery A
- Western Monastery B
- Western Monastery C
- Western Monastery D
- Western Monastery E
- Western Monastery F
- Western Monastery G
- Western Monastery H
- Western Monastery I
- Western Monastery J
- Western Monastery K
- Western Monastery M
- Western Monastery N
Padhanaghara Complexes were used by the meditating monks and are located away from the cities and human settlements. Padhanaghara are built on a unique architectural style with a moat surrounding them. Quite often these structures were built as twin structures on a rocky outcrop surrounded by the moat. Sometimes there are waterways even inside the moat underneath the buildings such as this building complex.
The Western Monastery “A” is located hidden among new houses and shrub jungles in Anuradhapura. The site is so hidden, that no pilgrim would find or visit this site. The main Padhanaghara complex has been partially restored in the past. However, its area is mostly covered in shrub jungle now due to disuse.
The site lies off the Arippu road past Western Monastery B.
![Plan of the Western Monastery 'A' of Ancient Anuradhapura](https://i0.wp.com/amazinglanka.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/western-a-05.jpg?resize=640%2C710&ssl=1)
Source: Sinhalese Monastic Architecture: The Viháras of Anurádhapura By S. D. Bandaranayake
References
- Bandaranayake, S., 1974. Sinhalese Monastic Architecture – The Viharas of Anuradhapura. Leiden: Brill.
Also See
Map of Western Monastery ‘A’ of Ancient 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 Anuradhapura (Western Monastery ‘A’)
Colombo to Anuradhapura By Bus
Anuradhapura is easily reached by bus, train or private transport. Air-conditioned and non-air-conditioned buses start at the Colombo Fort Main Bus Station. There are luxury busses which start from various places in Colomb travelling past Anuradhapura, to Vavuniya and Jaffna. However, you need to search the web and book a seat. These luxury buses mostly travel at night reaching their final destination early in the morning.
Colombo to Anuradhapura By Train
5 daily trains are starting from Fort Railway Station to Anuradhapura. Generally, the first train leaves at 9.40 am and the last train at 8.30 pm. Travel time is 4-5 hours depending on the number of stops of the particular train.
Colombo to Anuradhapura By Car or Van
Anuradhapura can be reached through many routes from Colombo. The two main routes are through Puttalam (Puttalama) and through Kurunegala. Travelling from Puttalam, you will pass the scenic Wilpattu area. There are two main routes to Anuradhapura from Kurunegala. The most common route is through Dambulla. The other route is through Galgamuwa. Out of all the routes, the most commonly used is the Kurunegala-Dambulla route (Route 2).
Route 01 from Colombo to Anuradhapura | Route 02 from Colombo to Anuradhapura |
Through : Negombo – Chilaw – Puttalam Distance from Colombo : 210 km Travel time : 4.30- 5.00 hours Driving Directions : see on Google map | Through : Katunayake Expressway – Central Expressway – Kurunegala – Dambulla Distance from Colombo : 223 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 : Katunayake Expressway – Narammala – Wariyapola – Padeniya – Thambuthegama Distance from Colombo :203 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 : 3.5 hours Driving Directions : see on Google map |
Route from Anuradhapura Railway Station to Western Monastery ‘A’ |
Distance : 5 kilometers Travel time : 15 minutes Driving directions : see on google map |
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