Maradankadawala Manakanda Archaeological Site (මරදන්කඩවල මානාකන්ද නටබුන්)

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Manakanda is a remote hill off Maradankadawala which has been used as a forest monastery since the 2nd – 3rd centuries BC having similar features to the more popular Ritigala which lies just 10 kilometers to the west. Considering the the similarities of these two ancient monasteries, it’s a shame that Manakanda is hidden away unknown and forgotten by pilgrims.

After the introduction of Buddhism with the arrival of the Mihindu Maha Thero, various forms of temples and monasteries were established all over the country. Architecturally, 4 types of residencies for Buddhist priests have been identified by historians which have been established from the early Anuradhapura era.

These are

  1. Rock Caves (Giri Len – ගිරි ලෙන්)
  2. Pabbatha Vihara (පබ්බත විහාර)
  3. Padhanaghara (පධානඝර)
  4. Maha Vihara (මහා විහාර)

Padhanaghara had been built for meditating bhikkhus living in forest monasteries on the edges of human settlements. This specific type of building appears to have been built starting in the 6th – 7th centuries and not after the 10th century. Since most of the Padhanaghara’s had been built on the jungles west of Anuradhapura city, these are also called Batahirarama (බටහිරාරාම) or Western Monasteries.

Padhanaghara has two simple buildings on raised platforms connected by a bridge made of granite slabs. Generally, a moat runs around these two buildings which could have been used for cooling the buildings and/or for protection from wild animals since these were built in forests. Another interesting feature of such buildings is the lack of any elaborate granite carvings on the buildings, balustrades or moonstones which are a prominent feature of temples built inside the cities. Elaborated designs on such Aramic Complexes are found on urinal slabs as to indicate the total rejection of what is unnecessary for a simple life.

There are about 30 Padhanaghara buildings discovered so far. Some of the better preserved Padhanagha are found in;

  1.  Anuradhapura Pashchimarama (අනුරාධපුරයේ පශ්චිමාරාම)
  2. Sudharshana Padhanaghara  in Abhayagiriya Maha Viharaya (අභයගිරිය විහාර පරිශ්‍රයට අයත් සුදස්සන පධානඝරය)
  3. Anuradhapura Weherabendigala / Kiralagala (අනුරාධපුරයේ වෙහෙරබැඳිගල / කිරලාගල)
  4. Arankele (අරන්කැලේ)
  5. Ritigala (රිටිගල)
  6. Mihinthale Kaludiya Pokuna (මිහින්තලේ කළුදිය පොකුණ)
  7. Thanthirimale (තන්තිරිමලේ)
  8. Sithulpawwa (සිතුල්පව්ව)
  9. Nuwaragala Kanda (නුවරගල කන්ද)
  10. Ramakele in Sigiriya (සීගිරිය රාමකැලේ)
  11. Maradankadawala Manakanda (මරදන්කඩවල මානාකන්ද)

In addition to the Padhanagha, these monasteries consisted of image houses, kitchen buildings, warm water baths (Ginihal Geya) and other facilities. Two other features generally found are large ponds to collect water and meditating paths in such complexes.

Manakanda belongs to the Kekirawa PS in Anuradhapura District. The Padhanagha monastic complex at Mananakanda lies on the Manakanda Mountain range, starting from the bottom and going all up to the top through winding pathways but of stones through the thick canopy of trees.

From the archaeological evidence, it is believed this complex has been in existence since the 3rd-2nd century BC. Initially started as a cave complex used by meditating monks has transformed itself into a Padhanagha Aramic Complex around 6-7th centuries.

Once you pass the archaeology department office at the bottom of the mountain, the first building you come across is the well-conserved Janthaghara (ඡන්තාඝරය) structure. Also known as Ginihal Geya (ගිනිහල්ගෙය) this is a building where medicinal steam baths or hot water baths were given to the sick. These buildings are a common feature of ancient hospital complexes in the country. Next is a large pond made from granite blocks which is also a common feature of Padanaghara. Continuing on the path underneath the forest canopy will bring you several Padanaghara buildings, monk residences, ponds, drip ledge caves and a ruined stupa. The stupa, unfortunately, has been subjected to destruction by treasure hunters.

Altogether, about 70 stone buildings have been discovered at the monastery stretching up to the top of the hill. Once you reach the top, you can get a clear view of Ritigala mountain which is the more popular Padhanagha-based monastery.

References :

Also See

Map of Maradankadawala Manakanda Archaeological Site

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Driving Directions to Maradankadawala Manakanda Archaeological Site

Route from Dambulla to Maradankadawala Manakanda Archaeological Site
Though : Devalagama
distance : 35 km
Travel time :45 mins
Time to spend : 1 – 3 hours
Driving directions : see on google map

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