Abhayagiri Monastery of Anuradhapura

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Abhayagiri Monastery is situated in the ancient city of Anuradhapura and is credited to King Vattagamini Abaya, popularly known as King Walagamba (103 BCE, 89-77 BCE). Proof has been found that a Jain temple existed on this land in the 5th century BCE during the rule of King Pandukabaya (437-367 BCE).

King Valagamba and the Jain Monk’s mockery

In 104 BCE, the youngest son of King Saddhatissa (137-119 BCE), Prince Vattagamini Abaya, came to the throne in Anuradhapura. Soon after, a Tamil invasion took place. The new king, unable to withstand the attack, was retreating from the capital. At this time a Jain monk was residing in the area where Abhayagiri stands today. When the king was passing this area, the Jain monk named “Geri” shouted insultingly, “Lo the great black Sinhala king is in flight.”

Birth of Abhayagiri Monastery

Although the king ignored the insult, he did not forget it. Fourteen years later, after returning to Anuradhapura following his victory over the invaders, he took decisive action. The hermitage was destroyed, and in its place, he built a grand stupa along with twelve other buildings, which he dedicated to Kuppikala Mahathissa Thero. The stupa was given the name Abhayagiri, a combination of the king’s own name, Abhaya, and that of the Jain monk, Geri.

The Dagaba is an immense structure, with a circumference of about 350.5 meters (1,150 feet) and an original height of 122 meters (400 feet). Built entirely of bricks, it was once coated with a thick layer of lime plaster, traces of which could still be seen in certain areas during the early 20th century. Surrounding the Dagaba is a vast square terrace known as the Salapatala Maluwa, measuring 182.9 by 182.9 meters (600 by 600 feet). This raised platform, paved with stone slabs, is bordered on all sides by a half wall. Beyond it lies the Weli Maluwa, encircled by a rampart 15.2 meters (50 feet) wide. Access to the sacred precincts was provided through four entrances, each guarded by watch houses where pilgrims and visitors passed before entering the holy grounds.

Splitting Away from Maha Viharaya and the Birth of Dhammaruchi Nikaya

Until this period, the center of Buddhism in Sri Lanka was the Maha Viharaya, which upheld the purest form of Theravāda Buddhist teaching. However, Mahatissa Thero was accused by the priests of Maha Viharaya of accepting a personal gift and was expelled from the institution. In response, he broke away with a group of monks and established the Abhayagiri Viharaya.

Initially, both temples followed the same Buddhist practices, but later a group of disciples of Dhammaruchi Thero from India introduced doctrines that differed from traditional Theravāda teachings. As a result, the monks of Abhayagiri came to be known as the Dhammaruchi Nikaya (sect). Over time, Abhayagiri grew into a powerful rival of Maha Vihara and eventually became the principal seat of Mahayana Buddhism in Sri Lanka.

This rivalry reached its height during the reign of King Mahasen (276–303 CE), who dismantled structures of the Maha Viharaya complex, including the Lova Maha Prasada, and used the materials for construction at Abhayagiri. According to the Chinese pilgrim Fa-Hsien, more than 5,000 monks resided at Abhayagiri Viharaya in the 5th century, surpassing the number at Maha Viharaya.

……. Over the footprint at the north of the city the king built a large tope, 400 cubits high, grandly adorned with gold and silver, and finished with a combination of all the precious substances. By the side of the top he further built a monastery, called the Abhayagiri, where there are (now) five thousand monks. There is in it a hall of Buddha, adorned with carved and inlaid works of gold and silver, and rich in the seven precious substances, in which there is an image (of Buddha) in green jade, more than twenty cubits in height, glittering all over with those substances, and having an appearance of solemn dignity which words cannot express. In the palm of the right hand there is a priceless pearl. ………..

The Ground Hallowed by Buddha

According to The Mahavamsa, the Great Chronicle of Sri Lanka, the Buddha visited a site called Seela Chetiya in Anuradhapura during his third visit to the island. The Deepavamsa further connects Seela Chetiya with Abhayagiri, while the records of the Chinese monk Fa-Hien note that the Abhayagiri Stupa was built upon a footprint of the Buddha. Based on these accounts, some scholars and devotees believe that the original Seela Chetiya once stood at the very location where the Abhayagiri Stupa now rises.

Thus, this site lies on the 13th position of Solosmasthana, the sixteen Buddhist sacred sites hallowed by Buddha, and is also one of Atamasthana, one of the eight most sacred holy sites of Anuradhapura.

The Great Mix-Up of British Archaeologists

Until the early 20th century, there was considerable confusion regarding the identification of Abhayagiri Stupa and Jethavana Stupa, leading historians to mix them up. This error was rectified in 1909 following the discovery of inscriptions that clarified the distinction. Consequently, publications prior to 1909 mistakenly referred to Abhayagiri Stupa as Jethavana Stupa.

This monastic complex spans approximately 500 acres (200 hectares) and is considered one of the largest archaeological sites in the world.

Anuradhapura Sacred City and Its Ruins—Opening Hours

There are no specific times for most of the sites. You can visit the great monasteries of the pre-Christian era from morning to dusk any day of the year. However, currently functioning major stupas and other holy sites where pilgrims come to worship are open till about 9-10 PM.

Anuradhapura Ancient City Ruins—Ticket Prices / Entrance Fees

All foreign tourists are required to purchase a ticket to visit the sacred city of Anuradhapura. The Anuradhapura Cultural Heritage Ticket provides access to most of the sacred city’s heritage sites and ruins, though it does not include entry to the Sri Maha Bodhi and Isurumuniya, which require separate tickets for tourists. With this ticket, visitors can explore the Ruwanweli Seya together with the surrounding ruins, including the Lovamahapaya and the remains of both the vast Abhayagiri Monastic Complex and the Jetavanaramaya Monastic Complex. The ticket also covers other important monuments within the city, including Thuparamaya, Lankaramaya, and all other sites.

Entry to the Anuradhapura Archaeological Museum, as well as the museums at Jetavanaramaya and Abhayagiri, is not covered by the cultural heritage ticket. Each of these museums requires a separate entry ticket, which can be purchased directly at the respective entrances.

Most of the more popular sites in Anuradhapura strictly check for tickets from tourists, while the less-visited sites tend to be more relaxed due to the lack of staff. However, tourists should be cautious, as some unscrupulous tuk-tuk drivers may attempt to exploit this situation. They sometimes offer to take visitors along routes where ticket checks are less common or even try to collect the entrance fee themselves, claiming they will purchase the tickets on the visitor’s behalf. Travelers are strongly advised not to fall for such scams, as this can lead to unnecessary complications with site security or the police.

Where to Buy Tourist Tickets to Anuradhapura Sacred City

The most convenient way to purchase the tickets is online through the Central Cultural Fund ticket portal. Physical tickets could be purchased from few ticket counters located in various places in the sacred city, such as ;

At the main Anuradhapura Archaeological Museum
At the Jetawanarama Museum
At the Abhayagiri Museum

Anuradhapura Cultural Heritage Tickets	Price per Head
Foreign – Adult	USD 30.00
Foreign – Children (3-12 Years)	USD 15.00
Foreign (SAARC) – Adult and Children	USD 15.00
Locals	Free

Abayagiri Stupa — photos from late 1800’s and early 1900’s

Abayagiri Stupa under restoration in 1995 — photos from late 1800’s and early 1900’s

Some of the popular structures belonging to the Abhayagiri Monastery are

References

B.W. Harischandra, 1908. The Sacred City of Anuradhapura. With Forty-six Illustrations. 1st ed. Colombo: Brahmachari Walisingha Harischandra.
Senevirathne, A. (1994) Ancient Anuradhapura: The Monastic City. Colombo: Archaeological Survey Department.

Also See

Anuradhapura – The city of the God Kings
Solosmasthana – The Sixteen Buddhist Sacred Sites Hallowed by Buddha
Atamasthana – The Eight Sacred Sites in Anuradhapura

Map of Abayagiri Monastery

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Driving Directions to Abhayagiri Monastery at Anuradhapura

Colombo to Anuradhapura By Bus

Anuradhapura can be conveniently reached by bus, train, or private transport. Both air-conditioned and non-air-conditioned buses operate from the Colombo Fort Main Bus Station. In addition, luxury buses departing from various locations in Colombo travel via Anuradhapura to Vavuniya and Jaffna; these require advance online booking and generally operate overnight, arriving at their final destinations early in the morning.

Colombo to Anuradhapura By Train

Five daily trains operate from Colombo Fort Railway Station to Anuradhapura. Typically, the first train departs at 9.40 a.m. and the last at 8.30 p.m. The journey takes approximately four to five hours, depending on the number of stops made by the particular service.

Colombo to Anuradhapura By Car or Van

Anuradhapura can be accessed from Colombo via several routes, with the two primary corridors running through Puttalam and Kurunegala. The Puttalam route passes the scenic Wilpattu area. From Kurunegala, there are two main approaches: the more commonly used route via Dambulla and an alternative route via Galgamuwa. Among all options, the Kurunegala–Dambulla route (Route 2) is the most frequently used.

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 Maps	Through: Negombo – Chilaw – Puttalam Distance from Colombo: 210 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 Maps	Through: Katugastota – Matale – Dambulla Distance from Colombo: 136 km Travel Time: 3.5 hours Driving Directions: see on Google Maps