Gedi-Ge Ruins of Ancient Anuradhapura

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To the northeast of the Royal Palace of King Vijayabahu I lies a fascinating cluster of ruins, often overlooked by visitors. These can be reached via a by-road branching off Watawandana Road or Sangamitta Road.

Identified Structures

Only a few of the ruins in this central palace area have been identified so far. Among them are:

Maha Pali Alms Hall – one of the refectories of the Abhayagiri Monastery
Dalada-Ge (House of the Tooth Relic) – generally believed to be a ancient Temple of Tooth Relic
Gedi-Ge – an image house with a semi-domical roof
Building “A” – another image house similar to Gedi-Ge

All four structures are located within 50 meters of each other. The structure known as Gedi-Ge stands close to another image house referred to as Building ‘A’.

Gedi-Ge is believed to have served as a sanctuary for followers of the Mahayana tradition, particularly those who practiced Tantric rituals.

Unlike most image houses in Anuradhapura, both Gedi-Ge and Building ‘A’ were constructed entirely of brick masonry, making them unique examples of this technique. Only the door and window frames were made of granite. Archaeological evidence suggests that these buildings originally featured vaulted roofs and upper floors, which were accessed by staircases. Some remnants of the roof were still visible during the late 19th century when H.C.P. Bell, the first British Commissioner of Archaeology, documented the site. Both shrines share a similar layout, consisting of a square outer shrine with projecting bays on each side and a regular square inner sanctum.

Dimensions and Design

Excluding the vestibule, Building ‘A’ measures approximately thirty-six by thirty-six feet, while Gedi-Ge is slightly smaller at thirty-four by thirty-four feet. Their near-identical proportions and design elements suggest that they were constructed with a common architectural vision, possibly serving related functions within the monastic complex.

Debates on Function

The true purpose of these structures remains a subject of scholarly debate. Some researchers believe that one or both of these buildings may have originally housed the Sacred Tooth Relic, raising questions about whether the structure currently identified as the Temple of the Tooth Relic might have been part of a royal palace instead. This uncertainty adds an element of mystery that continues to fascinate historians and visitors alike.

Important Information for Foreign Tourists Visiting Sites at Sacred City of Anuradhapura

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 foreign tourists 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 tourists’ behalf. Tourists are strongly advised not to fall for such scams, as this can lead to unnecessary complications with site security or the police.

Information on the Anuradhapura Cultural Heritage Ticket and where and how to purchase can be found here

Gedi-Ge ruins of ancient Anuradhapura kingdom

Plan of ruined building known as Building 'A'

A conjectural construction of the Gedige in Anuradhapura

References

Bandaranayake, S. (1974) Sinhalese Monastic Architecture: The Vihāras of Anurādhapura. Leiden, Netherlands: E. J. Brill.
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 Gedi-Ge Ruins of Anuradhapura Kingdom

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Driving Directions to Anuradhapura (Gedi-Ge Ruins )

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