Mahapali Alms Hall of Anuradhapura Kingdom

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Anuradhapura kingdom was flourishing from the 4th century BC to the beginning of the 11th century AD. After Buddhism was introduced to Sri Lanka in the 3rd century BC, this capital became one of the largest learning centers of Buddhism in the world. Thousands of bhikkus lived in Anuradhapura in a number of aramic complexes. Providing meals to these thousands of monks was the responsibility of the king, and a number of Alms Halls belonging to different aramic complexes can be seen scattered all over the sacred city today.

To the northeast of the royal palace of King Vijayabahu I lies a set of ruins that are rarely visited by pilgrims. These ruins, believed to be the central palace area of the Anuradhapura kingdom, are accessible through a by-road on the Watawandana Road or Sangamitta Road.

Only some of the ruins in this central palace area have been identified. Maha Pali Alms Hall (one of the refectories of Abhayagiriya Monastery), a ruin identified as the Dalada-Ge (House of the Tooth Relic), Gedi-Ge (an image house with a semi-domical roof), and another image house almost identical to Gedi-Ge, simply known as Building “A”. All these 4 buildings lie 50 meters from each other.

Massive granite pillars where a massive building stood and a rice trough made of granite lie within these ruins of Mahapali Alms Hall, covering over 1/4 acres. This type of trough is found at Abhayagiri Vihara Alms Hall, Maha Viharaya Alms Hall, and Mihintale Alms Hall. It may be that a copper-made container was kept in the trough for the purpose of keeping rice.

The trough used to hold vegetable curries has been destroyed. This refectory has been repaired from time to time by various kings. A large stone slab close to this site built an epigraphic record of the 10th century by King Mihindu IV (956-972) to deal with rules and regulations regarding fields belonging to the royal household.

One of the main attractions is the deep well, which would have supplied water to the alms hall. Built with granite and bricks, steps are placed around the perimeter of the square well so you can climb down the water.

The Mahapali Hall is believed to have been built by King Devanampiyatissa in the 3rd century BC and had been expanded and supported by many other sovereigns in the Anuradhapura kingdom

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

The rice boat which fed thousands of monks at Mahapali Alms Hall in Anuradhapura

Slab Inscription at Mahapali Alms Hall in Royal Palace grounds

The well with steps at the Mahapali Alms Hall in Anuradhapura

References

Seneviratna, A., (1994). Ancient Anuradhapura. 1st ed. Colombo: Archaeological Survey Department, Sri Lanka.
Wikramagamage, C., (2004). Heritage of Rajarata: Major natural, cultural, and historic sites. Colombo. Central Bank of Sri Lanka.
Silva, R. et al. (2007) History and Archaeology of Sri Lanka Volume II – The Art and Archaeology of Sri Lanka I –. Padukka, Sri Lanka: Central Cultural Fund.

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 Mahapali Alms Hall of Abayagiriya Monastery

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Driving Directions to 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