Heritage

Mapa Maligawa / Palace of Viceroy of Anuradhapura Kingdom (මාපා මාලිගය)

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– Entrance Pavilion of the Bodhighara with the 3rd Samadhi Statue –

Mapa Maligawa / Palace of Viceroy of Anuradhapura Kingdom

Sandwiched between the Basawakkulama Wewa Reservoir and the Bulankulama Wewa Reservoir lie the ruins of a building in the middle of a shrub jungle. The building has been conserved by the Department of Archaeology and board placed at the Basawakkulama Road which no visitor pays attention to.

According to the description provided on the information board of the site, the building exhibits the style of architecture of the Anuradhapura period and according to folklore, this was the palace of the king’s viceroy. As to who built it or its purpose is uncertain. From the design, it could be surmised that the structure has been built for purposes other than a palace. The building has been conserved in 1951.

According to Professor Anuradha Seveviratna, this building dates back to the second half of the Anuradhapura period, specifically the 10th century. It is further believed to have been the residence of a mapa, a provincial leader, noble, or prince (Seneviratna, 1994).

Prof Bandaranayake believes this structure to be a rare Sri Lankan example of Chaushala (Catursala, Chaushala, Catuśśāla, Catuḥśāla, Catussālā, Catussala, Catushshala, Catur-shala) or Courtyard Monastery closely resembling the classic Indian Sangharama in its layout even though Prof Parnanvithana may have believed that it was the ‘Mapamaligava’or palace of the heir-apparent. Its plan consists of four ranges of interconnected cells surrounding an open courtyard, square or rectangular in shape. A small image house is placed in the centre of the courtyard. The structure in the middle of the Mapa Maligawa is definitely an image house (Bandaranayake,1990).

To reach this site from Ruwanweli Seya, travel around the Basawakkulama Wewa Reservoir along Basawakkulama Road. After 1.3 km on this road, you will see a notice board from the Archaeology Department directing you to a disused narrow gravel road. Follow this gravel road for 175 meters through a forested area, and you will come across the ruins of the Mapa Maligawa.

References

Seneviratna, A., 1994. Ancient Anuradhapura. 1st ed. Colombo: Archaeological Survey Department, Sri Lanka., p 114
Bandaranayake, S. (1990) ‘Architecture Of The Anuradhapura Period 543 B.C. – 800 A.D.’, in Archaeological Department Centenary (1890 – 1990) Commemorative Series -Volume Three – Architecture. Colombo, Sri Lanka: Department of Archaeology, p 24.

Also See

Anuradhapura – The city of the God King

Map of Mapa Maligawa / Palace of Viceroy of Anuradhapura Kingdom

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Traveling Directions to Anuradhapura

Colombo to Anuradhapura By Bus

Anuradhapura is easily reached by bus, train or private transport. Air-conditioned and non-air-conditioned buses start at the Colombo Fort Main Bus Station. There are luxury busses which start from various places in Colomb travelling past Anuradhapura, to Vavuniya and Jaffna. However, you need to search the web and book a seat. These luxury buses mostly travel at night reaching their final destination early in the morning.

Colombo to Anuradhapura By Train

5 daily trains are starting from Fort Railway Station to Anuradhapura. Generally, the first train leaves at 9.40 am and the last train at 8.30 pm. Travel time is 4-5 hours depending on the number of stops of the particular train.

Colombo to Anuradhapura By Car or Van

Anuradhapura can be reached through many routes from Colombo. The two main routes are through Puttalam (Puttalama) and through Kurunegala. Travelling from Puttalam, you will pass the scenic Wilpattu area. There are two main routes to Anuradhapura from Kurunegala. The most common route is through Dambulla. The other route is through Galgamuwa. Out of all the routes, the most commonly used is the Kurunegala-Dambulla route (Route 2).

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 map	Through : Katunayake Expressway – Central Expressway – Kurunegala – Dambulla Distance from Colombo : 223 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 map	Through : Katugastota – Matale – Dambulla Distance from Colombo :136 km Travel Time : 3.5 hours Driving Directions : see on Google map

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