Anuradhapura District Archives | Page 2 of 10

Aluthdivulwewa Purana Tampita Viharaya

At Aluthdivulwewa Tampita Viharaya entrance, only one gatekeeper statues exists today. Regrettably, the other has been lost to time, leaving only one to stand guard. The exterior of the viharaya is painted in white. Stepping inside, one is greeted by the interior walls that bear the artistic imprints of the Kandy era, replicating the rich cultural heritage of the region. However, it is disheartening to note that the lack of proper maintenance has led to the gradual deterioration of many paintings, diminishing their original splendor.

Ancient Wahalkada Wewa Reservoir

54 years ago3 months ago010 mins

While specific information about its origin remains elusive, some people consider Weerawapi Reservoir to be among the great 16 reservoirs, believed to have been constructed by King Mahasen (234-301 BC), now known as Wahalkada Reservoir. Historical records indicate restoration work of this were taken place during the reigns of King Agbo (in 608 -618 AD) and Maha Parakumba. (1153 to 1186 A D)

Burrows Pavilion / Stone Canopy (බරෝස් මණ්ඩපය / ගල් වියන)

54 years ago2 months ago05 mins

Burrows Pavilion is thought to be the entrance to the oldest Bodhighara in the Abayagiri Complex where the Third Samadhi Statue lies. This canopy has been restored by S. M. Burrows, thus the name.

Silachetiya (Kujjatissa) Stupa at Anuradhapura (අනුරාධපුර සිලාචේතිය කුජ්ජතිස්ස පුරාවිද්‍යා නටබුන්)

54 years ago2 months ago07 mins

The stupa called Silachetiya (Sila Chetiya) is also known as Kujjatissa Stupa since this has been associated with a bikku by the same name who is said to have had miraculous powers.

Left Balustrade of Panchawasa of Thuparamaya

Unique Balustrade Carvings of Thuparama Panchayatana (ථූපාරාම පංචායතන සුවිශේෂී කොරවක්ගල්)

54 years ago3 weeks ago011 mins

An exquisitely carved unique pair of Balustrades (Korawakgal) in front of a building belonging to Thuparama Monastery not found anywhere in the Country. Unlike any other, side bas-reliefs are with a forest scene with thatched houses in between sylvan groves which all make separate divisions of the entire panel.

Dalada Ge (Image House / Trident House) of Thuparama Monastery of Anuradhapura with its unique and magnificent pillar capitals which had aroused the curiosity of early exploders'

Thuparamaya Image House of Ancient Anuradhapura (ථුපාරාමය පිළිම ගෙය)

54 years ago2 months ago08 mins

Thuparamaya Image House also know as Trident House or Dalada-Ge in the past is a unique construction as its magnificent pillar capitals are in the form of vajra or the Trident motif. The vajra is the symbols of knowledge that crushes the defilements of ignorance and passion so as though reveal the realty of Dhamma. .

Anuradhapura Thuparamaya Chapter House (අනුරාධපුර ථුපාරාම උපෝසථාගාරය)

54 years ago2 months ago03 mins

The Chapter House of Thuparama is located to the South of the stupa. It is smaller in dimension than the Chapter House of the Mahavihara. However a feature common to both these buildings is the erection of pillars. This building is believed to have been built by king Bhathika Tissa (140-164 CE)

Mahavihara Image House of Ancient Anuradhapura (අනුරාධපුර මහාවිහාර ප්‍රතිමා ගෘහයේ නටබුන්)

54 years ago2 months ago02 mins

This Image House of Mahavihara Monastery of ancient Anuradhapura kingdom would have been a sight to behold with massive stone pillars with intrinsic carvings. Today these pillars lies fallen on its foundation near the Basawakkulama Wewa

Ruins of the ancient aramic complex this complex of Padaviya Deiyanne Kanda Archaeological Site

Padaviya Moragoda Archaeological Site

54 years ago1 year ago07 mins

During the reign of Parakramabahu II (1236-1270), Padirata was ruled by a Tamil invader. During this period, a kovil has been built among the Buddhist buildings in Moragoda. The ruins of this Shiva temple and Shiva Linga can be seen even today. Vijayabahu II (1270-1272), who reigned after Parakramabahu II, regained control of Padirata.

Mahailuppallama Buddha Statue (මහඉලුප්පල්ලම බුදු පිළිමය)

54 years ago2 months ago06 mins

A standing Buddha image 1.78 meters in height possibly belong yo 2nd -4th centuries of Amaravati marble, discovered from Mahailluppallama is now in the Anuradhapura museum. When building a model farm on a land belonging to the Agriculture Faculty, University of Peradeniya, the bulldozer used for levelling the land hit the statue which lay buried for centuries on the 23rd of March, 1946.

Ruins of Mahavihara Refractory Hall of Anuradhapura Kingdom (අනුරාධපුර මහා විහාරීය දාන ශාලාව)

54 years ago2 months ago03 mins

The Refractory Hall (Alms Hall or Chatussala) has been built by king Devanampiya Tissa in the 3rd century BCE. This has been restored by Vasabha in in the the 3rd century CE. This building corresponds with the Alms hall found at Mihintale for it has the same architectural design found here.

Kekirawa Maha Elagamuwa Ambalama / Bana Maduwa

54 years ago1 month ago04 mins

Passing Dambulla town, travel 12 km from Mirisgonioya road towards Kekirawa, turn right at a narrow crossing near Maha Elagamuwa Rajamaha Vihara, and travel about 1½ km to see this Banamaduwa (Ambalama) next to a large field. This building preserved by the Department of Archeology is identified as “Maha Elagamuwa Ambalama”. According to the plaque, there is no evidence as to who built this building or when.

Wilpattu National Park (විල්පත්තු ජාතික වනෝද්‍යානය)

54 years ago2 months ago014 mins

Situated 180 km from Colombo, and about 40 km from Anuradhapura Wilpattu National park is the largest wild life sanctuary in Sri Lanka. Declared as a sanctuary in 1938, and subsequently a national park, Wilpattu reserve, is a popular attraction for both tourists and wildlife enthusiasts.

Old Medawachchiya Ranmaduwa Rajamaha Viharaya

54 years ago1 year ago04 mins

Ranmaduwa Rajamaha Viharaya is an ancient temple complex lying between Padaviya and Pulmude in the Parana Medawachchiya area. The temple has been modernised but the ancient ruins can still be seen at the temple premises.

Padaviya Thopawanaya Vehera Godella

54 years ago5 months ago01 mins

The Tapovanaya Vihraya in Padaviya is located on the rocky plateau at the starting point of the Padaviya reservoir dam. On the top of this rock you find dilapidated remains of a rather large stupa. So far, it does not seem that any conservation has been done here. Today this appears as a large mound of earth.

Archaeological Ruins of Puttalam Vanathavilluwa Malvila Rajamaha Viharaya - පුත්තලම වනාතවිල්ලුව මල්විල රජමහා විහාරයේ නටබුන්

Kahatagasdigiliya Kalpe Thammennawahinna Archaeological Reserve (කහටගස්දිගිලිය කල්පේ තම්මැන්නාවහින්න පුරාවිද්‍යා ස්ථානය)

54 years ago1 month ago03 mins

The Thammennawahinna archaeological site is abandoned by authorities and is covered by the jungle. The main artifact of the site is an fairly large stupa belonging to the Anuradhapura era (437 BCE – 1017 CE). There are number of ruins of buildings and stone pillars scattered around the site.

Kahatagasdigiliya Kalpe Archaeological Reserve (කහටගස්දිගිලිය කල්පේ පුරාවිද්‍යා රක්‍ෂිතය)

54 years ago1 week ago04 mins

Kalpe archaeological site is spread over an area of about 75 acres. The main artifact of the site is an fairly large stupa, about 5 meters in height now. This stupa is built on a 4mx4m platform. The complete construction of the stupa and the platform which its standing is made of clay bricks.

Yathuru Pokuna (Key Pond) of Abhayagiriya Monastery (අභයගිරිය යතුරු පොකුණ)

54 years ago1 week ago03 mins

This Yathuru Pokuna has the best resemblance to a key. The staircase down to the pond starts from the bit part of the key and takes a sharp right angle turn in the middle of the steps and the stairs continue along the shaft of the key. The circular pond at the end of the stairs represent the bow of the key. On the other 2 ponds, the stairs start at the shaft part of the key which takes you directly down to the pond with no bit part of the key.

The massive bisokotuwa of Kuda Vilachchiya before destruction by treasure hunters

Kuda Vilachchiya Wewa and its Ruins Inside Wilpattu

54 years ago1 month ago07 mins

This ancient reservoir of Kuda Vilachchiya is believed to have been built by King Wasaba (67-111 AD). Since it lies in the thick jungle of Wilpattu national park where the public has no access, those who are doing the surveys have to first obtain permission to enter the park and then travel by a tractor to a certain distance and lead the rest of the journey by foot.

Ruins of Puliyankulama Pabbata Viharaya in Anuradhapura as seen in 1896.

Ruins of Puliyankulama Pubbarama Pabbata Viharaya in Anuradhapura (අනුරාධපුර පුලියන්කුලම පබ්බත විහාරය පුරාවිද්‍යා නටබුන්)

54 years ago1 week ago014 mins

Puliyankulama (Puliyankulam) Pubbarama is an ancient Buddhist monastery made in the form of a pabbata vihara architecture lying on the outskirts of Anuradhapura on the Anuradhapura – Rambewa road (towards Jaffna),.

Boer War Ceylon Contingent Memorial in Kandy
The Boer War Ceylon Contingent Memorial depicts a trooper of the Ceylon Mounted Infantry giving the signal "enemy in sight". It is currently located inside the Army Barack on Brownrigg Street, Kandy. […]
King Edward VII Coronation Memorial in Balapitiya (හත්වන එඩ්වර්ඩ් රජුගේ බලපිටියේ අභිෂේක ස්මාරකය)
Along the Galle Road in front of the High Court Complex of Balapitiya lies a monument erected by the public to commemorate the coronation of King Edward VII on August 9, 1902. The monument is a pillar made of stone with a large square base with the side facing the road with the inscription. […]
Kamburupitiya Ambalama (කඹුරුපිටිය අම්බලම)
Kamburupitiya Ambalama is one such Ambalama built in 1909. This is a comparatively large Ambalama built with Brick and mortar, standing in the centre of the Kamburupitya town. The Ambalama is fully covered. The front is built with a short wall and square and cylindrical pillars the empty space is covered with latticework structures for ventilation. The entrance is on the side. […]
Matikumbura Kalawana Sri Sugatharamaya Tampita Viharaya (මැටිකුඹුර කලවාන ශ්‍රී සුගතාරාමය ටැම්පිට විහාරය)
Matikumbura Kalawana Sri Sugatharamaya Tampita Viharaya in Kurunegala District was declared a protected Archaeological Monument by the gazette dated 7th December 2001. […]
Ruins of Allirani Fort in Arasapuram, Kilinochchi (අරිසපුරම් අල්ලිරානි කොටුව නටබුන්)
Ruins found at Arasapuram are believed to be ruins of a fort of Queen Allirani by the locals. However, no formal archaeological excavation has been done on this site. These ruins most probably belonged to an ancient monastery built millennia ago. […]
A Ride Through the Historic Hamilton Canal (Dutch Canal)
The Hamilton Canal also known as the Dutch Canal and Paru Ela in Sinhalese, connecting Puttalam and Colombo, has a rich history dating back to the colonial era. It was first started by the Portuguese (1505–1656) who started cutting the waterway from the Kelani Ganga River. They built the canal to redirect river floods and protect fertile paddy land. […]
Negombo Lellama Fish Market : An Explosion of Colours
The Negombo Fish Market is a bustling hub of activity located in the coastal city of Negombo, Sri Lanka. It is renowned for its vibrant atmosphere and the wide variety of fresh seafood available for sale. Fishermen bring in their catches from the Indian Ocean, and the market comes alive with the sights, sounds, and smells of the sea. […]
Dutugemunu Pillar at Ruwanweli Seya (දුටුගැමුණු ශිලා ස්ථම්භය)
Many do not pay special attention to this pillar which is generally called "Dutugenumu Pillar" but the story behind this pillar is interesting as the construction of the Ruwanweli Seya itself. This pillar was installed by King Devanampiyatissa (250-210 BCE) on the advice of Mihindu Maha Thero. […]
Dalada Maligawa of Kurunegala Kingdom (කුරුණෑගල රාජධානියේ දළදා මාලිගාව)
The old city of Kurunegala Kingdom was spread between Kuruminigala and Ibbagala, bounded by Athugala. Even today ruins of the palace complex, the Temple of Tooth (Dalada Maligawa) and other buildings inside a semi-circular are found on this strip of land between Athugala and Kuruminigala. […]
Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage (පින්නවල අලි අනථාගාරය)
The Pinnawela elephant orphanage in Sri Lanka was established in 1975 on a land area of nine hectares, a prime land of coconut plantation. At the inception there were only seven orphans. Some members of this generation now given birth to the second and third generation and the story continues. […]
Mihintale – The Cradle of Buddhism (මිහින්තලාව)
In the 3rd century BC, area of Mihintale (mihinthalaya) was a thick jungleand was a hunting ground reserved for the royals. All this changed in 250 BC when the son of the Indian Emperor Asoka, Mahinda Maha Thero arrived at the Mihintale (mihinthalaya) rock to meet king Devamnampiyatissa. […]
Kotte Kingdom (කෝට්ටේ රාජධානිය)
Kotte Kingdom was the capital of our island from 1415-1565 AD predominated by the long reign of Parakrama Bahu VI, the last Sinhala king who ruled a unified L anka. […]
Kotttapitiya Slab Inscription (කෝට්ටපිටිය පුවරු ලිපිය)
The Kotttapitiya Slab Inscription is considered one of the 14 valuable inscriptions of the Anuradhapura Era. The pillar inscription is believed to have been placed by King Mahinda IV (956-972) and is 6 feet in height and 1.5 feet wide. 45 lines of text have been inscribed on this pillar. […]
Gurugalhinna Megalithic Burial Grounds
Gurugalhinna Megalithic Cemetery was initially uncovered and examined in 1896 by R. W. Levers. Subsequently, in the 1970s, Raja De Silva from the Department of Archaeology led excavations at Gurugalhinna. However, the burials at the site have not been scientifically dated. […]
Wadamunai (Wadamune) Megalithic Burial Site in Maduru Oya Valley
In this Wadamunai (Wadamune) Megalithic Cemetery, scattered across the landscape, lie between 15 to 20 graves. Unfortunately, the peaceful serenity of these resting places has been disrupted by thorn bushes, which have taken root amidst many of the tombs. Adding to the desecration, some graves have fallen victim to the destructive hands of treasure hunters, who have ransacked them in search of valuables. […]
Ranawa Andiyagala Pillar Inscription (රණව ආඬියාගල ටැම් ලිපිය)
Placed by King Dappula IV in the early part of the 10th century, this Ranawa Andiyagala Pillar Inscription declares a sanctuary for Animal, Plants as well as Humans in the Namal Uyana area. Even royal guards were prohibited from entering this area to apprehend criminals. […]
Dambegoda Pillar Inscription in Maligawila (දඹේගොඩ ටැම් ලිපිය)
Established by King Mahinda IV (956-972) Dambegoda Pillar Inscription in Maligawila narrates the religious acts of the king and lays down rules for the administration of certain religious establishments. […]
Mihintale Slab Inscriptions and the Relic House (4වන මිහිඳු රජුගේ මිහින්තලේ පුවරු ලිපි)
The inscription of King Mahinda IV belonging to the tenth century is installed on the two sides of the entrance to this Vihara. The relic house is a square building. […]