Alahana Pirivena of Polonnaruwa

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Ruins of the Alahana Pirivena Complex
Photo By : Shanan Ilen

The Alāhana Pariveṇa, King Parākramabāhu’s medieval monastic university, is a masterpiece of Sinhalese urban planning. Built on royal cremation grounds, its terraced landscape features the towering Laṅkātilaka Image House and the Baddhasīmāpāsāda. Remarkably, excavations revealed an advanced ancient hospital, complete with surgical instruments and medicinal stone troughs.

The Alāhana Piriveṇa (Alahana Parivena) was established during the Polonnaruwa period, at the height of the medieval capital’s golden age under the patronage of King Parākramabāhu the Great (1153–1186 CE). This monastic university represents one of the finest achievements of Sinhalese architectural design and spatial planning of the period.

Inception, Location, and Purpose

The foundation of the Alāhana Piriveṇa formed part of a broader royal initiative to transform the outskirts of Polonnaruwa into an extensive sacred landscape. The name derives from the Pali term ālāhana, meaning “cremation,” reflecting the fact that the monastery was established on and near an ancient cremation ground used by royalty and high-ranking members of the Sangha. Epigraphic evidence discovered in the forested area southeast of the site confirms that this land had been designated for the cremation of specific social groups (Paranavitana, 1947; Prematilleke, 1990).

Situated immediately north of the outer city wall, the complex occupies a natural hillock that was skillfully reshaped into a series of receding terraces by ancient builders. The monastery was originally enclosed within a substantial outer brick wall (prākāra), measuring approximately 573 m (1,880 ft) from north to south and 296 m (970 ft) from east to west. Its historical boundaries extended between Gopala Pabbata in the south and the Uttarārāma (Gal Vihāra) in the north. The Piriveṇa primarily functioned as a center for Ganthadhura (scriptural study), effectively serving as a monastic university for thousands of monks (Paranavitana, 1947; Prematilleke, 1990).

Architectural Layout and Principal Structures

The principal architectural features of the Alāhana Piriveṇa are concentrated on the summit of the hill, which is divided into two distinct terraces.

Baddhasīmāpāsāda : Occupying the highest terrace, the Baddhasīmāpāsāda served as the Chapter House (Uposathaghara) of the monastery. Historical records describe it as a twelve-storied structure, making it the largest building of its kind in ancient Sri Lanka. The complex included turrets, residential chambers, and multiple halls designed for ecclesiastical functions and communal assemblies. Double boundary (sīmā) stones still mark the sacred precinct where Vinaya rules were recited (Prematilleke, 1990).

Laṅkātilaka Image House : Located on the lower terrace of the summit, the Laṅkātilaka Image House is the most imposing shrine within the complex. This vaulted brick structure, built in the gedige architectural style, originally rose to five stories in height. Its external surfaces were richly decorated with bas-reliefs depicting deities, floral motifs, and creepers. Within the sanctum stands a colossal brick Buddha image, once covered with painted plaster (Paranavitana, 1947; Prematilleke, 1990).

Kirivehera Stupa : Situated near the Laṅkātilaka, the Kirivehera stupa is traditionally believed to have been constructed by King Parākramabāhu I in memory of his queen Subhaddā. This bubbulākāra (bubble-shaped) monument is notable among the ruins of Polonnaruwa for the exceptional preservation of its original lime plaster (Prematilleke, 1990).

Encircling these central monuments are the lower terraces, which contained the residential quarters (kuti) of the monks. These were arranged in organized courtyards, typically consisting of a larger cell for a senior monk accompanied by several smaller cells for students. The entire complex was supported by an advanced drainage system utilizing clay pipes and stone outlets, effectively preventing soil erosion on the terraced slopes (Prematilleke, 1990).

Discovery and the Ancient Hospital

The ruins of the Alāhana Piriveṇa were rediscovered in the early 20th century under the direction of H. C. P. Bell, the first Archaeological Commissioner. Initial excavations were challenging due to dense jungle growth and the accumulation of large quantities of spoil earth over the structures.

One of the most significant discoveries within the complex is the ancient hospital (arogyasālā), located between the Rankot Vehera and the Baddhasīmāpāsāda. Excavated in 1983 during the Cultural Triangle Project, this structure provides compelling evidence of advanced medieval medical practices. The layout consisted of patient cells arranged around a central courtyard, which also contained a small shrine. A notable feature is the beheth-oruwa, a stone trough used for immersing patients in medicated oils. This discovery corroborates accounts in the Cūlavamsa, which describe King Parākramabāhu I as a skilled physician who established hospitals for his people (Prematilleke, 1982, 1990).

Restoration and Conservation

Systematic restoration of the site has been ongoing for more than a century. In the 1940s, efforts focused on clearing the terraces to restore the original eastern approach to the Laṅkātilaka, which had been obscured by earlier excavation debris (Paranavitana, 1947). Since 1980, the UNESCO–Sri Lanka Cultural Triangle Project has overseen conservation work, employing advanced techniques such as photogrammetry for documentation and restoration. Recent efforts have successfully preserved the outer city walls and moats, transforming the area into a carefully maintained religio-archaeological park (Prematilleke, 1982, 1990).

Artefacts and the Polonnaruwa Archaeological Museum

Visitors to the Alāhana Piriveṇa can explore a wide range of artifacts, many of which are displayed at the Polonnaruwa Archaeological Museum.

Excavations at the hospital site revealed an assortment of surgical instruments, including scissors, scalpels, lancets, and forceps, bearing a striking resemblance to modern medical tools.
Findings of Chinese ceramics, particularly Sung dynasty porcelain and rare Timokku tea bowls, indicate strong trade connections between Polonnaruwa and East Asia from the 10th to 13th centuries.
A notable collection of coins includes issues from local rulers such as Vijayabāhu I and Lilāvati, alongside Chinese coins from the Southern Tsung dynasty.
Ritual objects discovered within stupas include reliquaries made of gold, crystal, and stone, as well as pottery decorated with the astamangala (eight auspicious symbols).

References

Paranavitana, S. (1947). Report of the Archaeological Survey of Ceylon for 1940-1945. Ceylon Government Press.
Prematilleke, P. L. (1982). Alahana Parivena : Third Archaeological Excavation Report (April – September 1982): UNESCO-Sri Lanka Project of the Cultural Triangle. Central Cultural Fund, Ministry of Cultural Affairs.
Prematilleke, P. L. (1990). The Architecture of the Polonnaruwa Period B.C. 800 — 1200 A.D. In N. De Silva (Ed.), Archaeological Department Centenary (1890-1990) : Commemorative Series : Volume Three : Achitechture (1st ed., Vols. 3–4, pp. 35–70). Department of Archaeology, Sri Lanka.

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Map of Alahana Privena at Ancient Capital of Polonnaruwa

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Driving Directions to Polonnaruwa Sacred City

The modern town of Polonnaruwa is also known as New Town, and the other part of Polonnaruwa remains the ancient royal 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: 5 hours Driving Directions: See on Google Maps.	Through: Maradankadawala–Habarana Distance: 103 km Travel Time: 2 hours Driving Directions: see on Google Maps.
Route from Anuradhapura to Polonnaruwa Sacred City	Route from Batticaloa to Polonnaruwa Sacred City
Through: Maradankadawala–Habarana Distance: 103 km Travel Time: 2 hours Driving Directions: See on Google Maps.	Through: Maradankadawala–Habarana Distance: 103 km Travel Time : 2 hours Driving Directions: see on Google Maps.