Padalanchana Chethiya of Ancient Anuradhapura

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About 50 meters southeast of Thuparama Dagoba stands the Padalanchana Chethiya, also known as Sila Chethiya or Digha Stupa. It was originally built by King Lagnatissa (119–109 BCE), son of King Saddhatissa, to enshrine a footprint of the Buddha.

According to the Mahavamsa, this sacred site is one of the four places where all Buddhas of this aeon—Kakusandha, Konagamana, Kassapa, and Gautama—left their footprints when they visited Sri Lanka. Thus, Padalanchana Chethiya holds immense spiritual importance, being directly linked to the footsteps of the Buddhas themselves.

The Pali Mahabodhiwanmsa further elaborates that each of these four Buddhas sanctified specific locations in Anuradhapura before departing the island.

Kakusandha Buddha, after consecrating the future site of Thuparama, rose into the air from Ratanamalaka. The Sinhalese gloss identifies this as the spot of the first stupa at Padalanchana.
Konagamana Buddha similarly ended his visit by rising into the air from Sudassanamalaka, today believed to be the second stupa at Padalanchana.
Kassapa Buddha departed from Somanassa Malaka, now identified as the third stupa at Padalanchana.
Finally, Gautama Buddha, during his third visit to Sri Lanka, meditated at the future site of the Sila Chethiya before departing, sanctifying the spot where the small fourth dagoba of Padalanchana now stands.

Thus, the cluster of stupas at Padalanchana collectively commemorates the footprints and visits of all four Buddhas of this aeon. The Culavamsa also records that King Mahinda IV (956–972 CE) restored shrines at this location, noting the presence of four chetiyas—matching the descriptions in the Mahavamsa and Mahabodhiwanmsa.

In the late 19th century, early British archaeologists mistakenly identified the ruins of Padalanchana Chethiya as the Sanghamitta Stupa, where the ashes of Sanghamitta Theri (sister of Mahinda Thero) were believed to be enshrined. Parker (1909) described the stupa as 21 feet in diameter, while Bell (1895) uncovered a small relic chamber in the shape of a cross at its first basal tier.

This confusion has since been clarified. Archaeological research confirms that the true Sanghamitta Stupa lies about 130 meters east of Thuparama, while the stupa southeast of Thuparama is correctly identified as the Padalanchana Chethiya, a monument uniquely tied to the footprints of the four Buddhas.

The restored stupa is built on a circular platform. A flight of steps decorated with moonstones, Guard stones and balustrades takes you to this platform. Sadly, not much attention is given by the visitors to this stupa.

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

References

Paranavitana, S., 1958. Padalanchana at Anuradhapura. University of Ceylon Review, vol. XVI(No. 1 & 2), pp.56-61.
Parker, H. (1909). Ancient Ceylon: An Account of the Aborigines and of Part of the Early Civilisation (1st ed.). Luzac & Co.
Seneviratna, A., 1994. Ancient Anuradhapura. 1st ed. Colombo: Archaeological Survey Department, Sri Lanka.
Smither, J. and Wikramagamage, C., 1993. Architectural Remains, Anurádhapura, Ceylon; comprising the dágabas and certain other ancient ruined structures. Measured, drawn and described by J.G. Smither. 2nd ed. (revised) Colombo: Academy of Sri Lankan Culture, pp.1-18.

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

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Driving Directions to Anuradhapura (Padalanchana Chethiya )

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