Ransimalakaya at Anuradhapura (අනුරාධපුර රන්සිමාලකය නටබුන්)

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On the sides of the path between Ruwanweli Seya and the Sri Maha Bodhi lies a large number of ruins fully or partially excavated. The only ruin which generally catches the interest of the pilgrim is the 1600 granite pillars of Lovamahapaya. In front of this building on the opposite side of the road is a signboard identifying the ruins as Ransimalakaya.

The ruins have been partially excavated in 1895-96 by the Royal Asiatic Society. The current state of the building indicates that this has been an open building with no walls and the roof has been supported by 8 rows of 10 granite pillars. Only a few of these pillars remain today. There are entrances from all 4 sides to enter this building.

It is interesting to note that the British under their rule had built a market by the side of Ransimalakaya with a BEEF STALL to strengthen the ownership of the land of the British Crown. However, the beef stall was removed to another spot on the 1st of January, 1908, on account of the repeated representations from the Buddhists (Harischandra, 1908). During the time that the Beef Stall operated, this structure was used as a cattle pound and was barely saved from destruction ((Mitton, 1917).

According to the brief description on the board by the Department of Archaeology, this building has been used as the meeting hall of the bhikkhus of the Maha Viharaya. The body of the Maha Mahinda Thero has been kept here before cremation.

References

  1. Wikramagamage, C., (2004). Heritage of Rajarata: Major natural, cultural, and historic sites. Colombo. Central Bank of Sri Lanka. p.61.
  2. Harischandra Brahmachāri Walisinha (1908) The Sacred City of Anuradhapura. with Forty-Six Illustrations. Colombo: The Author. p.110.
  3. Mitton, G.E. (1917) The lost cities of Ceylon. New York, New York: Fredrick A, Stokes Company. p 91.

Also See

Map of Ransimalakaya at Anuradhapura

Please click on the button below to load the Dynamic Google Map (ගූගල් සිතියම් පහලින්)
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The map above also shows other places of interest within a approximately 20 km radius of the current site. Click on any of the markers and the info box to take you to information of these sites

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Driving Directions to Ransimalakaya at Anuradhapura

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. From Kurunegala, there are two main routes to Anuradhapura. 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 AnuradhapuraRoute 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 AnuradhapuraRoute 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

To reach this ruin you need to enter the area through Sri Maha Bodhi or Ruwanweli Seya

Route from Anuradhapura Railway Station to Ransimalakaya at Anuradhapura
Distance : 1,5  kilometers
Travel time : 5 minutes
Driving directions : see on google map

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