Arankele Forest Monastery | AmazingLanka.com

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IIf you are seeking a haven of peace and quiet reflection, Arankele offers an experience unlike any other. Its lush, tranquil surroundings create an atmosphere that naturally soothes and refreshes the mind. Yet, this serene landscape was never intended as a place of leisure. Instead, it was once an imposing forest monastery—home to a community of reclusive monks who deliberately chose this remote and secluded setting.

Today, Arankele stands as an important archaeological site, preserving the remnants of this ancient monastic complex.

The Pansukulika Tradition

The monks who lived here were known as Pansukulika—a term meaning “rag-robe wearers.” This name reflects their strict vow to wear robes made only from discarded cloth. Their lifestyle was defined by extreme simplicity and renunciation. Living in caves and forest hermitages, they pursued meditation with unwavering discipline, earning deep respect from lay communities for their piety.

Architectural Features

A defining characteristic of these padhanaghara complexes is the presence of double-platform structures. These consist of two raised stone platforms, constructed with massive retaining walls and connected by a central stone bridge. Access is provided by short flights of steps on either side of the bridge.

The design is notably minimalistic. Balustrades and guard stones are plain, devoid of decorative elements—reflecting the monks’ rejection of ornamentation. Surrounding these platforms are water channels, believed to have helped regulate temperature and maintain a cool interior environment.

Similar architectural remains can also be found at Ritigala and Mihintale, indicating a broader monastic tradition.

Although their exact function remains uncertain, scholars suggest these platforms were used for meditation, instruction, and possibly ritual practices.

Monastic Ruins and Layout

At the entrance to Arankele, a structure identified as a jantaghara—a hot water bath—can be seen. Beyond this, the site reveals a network of ruins including meditation promenades, ponds, and gently winding pathways.

These pathways, often paved and sometimes slightly elevated, were designed for walking meditation. Their gradual inclines and occasional steps allowed monks to walk in continuous mindfulness. Circular stone-paved turnarounds were also constructed to prevent meditators from colliding while walking in deep concentration.

The site contains several bathing ponds, one of which has been fully restored, as well as ancient wells that are still in use by monks residing in the nearby Arankele Maliyadeva Senasana.

The Forest Setting

Walking through Arankele is an immersive experience. The pathways wind beneath a dense canopy of towering trees and interwoven creepers, alive with the sounds of birds and the subtle movements of forest life. The natural environment remains largely undisturbed, preserving the contemplative atmosphere that once defined the monastery.

Cave Dwellings

Among the most evocative features is a small rock cave dwelling, carefully adapted into a three-room residence. Entered through a reconstructed wooden door, the structure still retains parts of its original stone doorframe.

Inside, two side rooms open from a central hall, each containing a window and a simple stone slab used as a bed. The entrance is marked by low steps, flanked by understated balustrades and guard stones, again reflecting the absence of ornamentation.

This cave is traditionally believed to have been the dwelling of Arahat Maliyadeva, a revered monk associated with the site.

Simplicity and Symbolism

One of the most striking aspects of Arankele is the absence of typical Buddhist religious structures. There are no stupas, image houses, or shrines associated with the Bo tree. This deliberate omission aligns with the Pansukulika ideal of returning to the original, austere practices of early Buddhism.

Interestingly, the only decorative elements found within the complex are the urinal stones. Scholars have long debated their significance. One interpretation suggests that their ornamentation symbolically represents the monks’ rejection of the ritualistic and architectural excesses of more orthodox monastic traditions—turning even a mundane act into a statement of philosophical dissent.

Legacy

Arankele remains a powerful testament to a form of Buddhist practice grounded in discipline, solitude, and simplicity. Its ruins are not merely archaeological remnants but reflections of a spiritual tradition that sought liberation through renunciation and deep meditation, in harmony with the quiet rhythms of the forest.

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Map of Arankale Monastery

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Arankale Monastery Video

An informative video clip by Nade Gura Travel & Conservation Society

Driving Directions to Arankale Monastery

Arankale is 24 kilometers from Kurunagala via the village of Ibbagamuva.

Route from Colombo to Arankale Monastery	Route from Kandy to Arankale Monastery
Through : Ambepussa – Kurunegala distance : 120 km Travel time : 3 hours Driving directions : see on Google Maps.	Through : Giriulla distance : 125 km Travel time : 3 hours Driving directions : see on Google Maps.
Route from Kurunegala to Arankale Monastary
distance : 24 km Travel time : 30 minutes Driving directions : see on Google Maps.