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. .
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)
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
The Tapovanaya Viharayaya 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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),.
Ruins of the Pacina Tissa Pabbata Viharaya (Pachina Tissa Pabbata Viharaya) lies hidden from view beside the high level sluice of the Nuwarawewa Reservoir. Until recently this site was referred to as the Palace of Prince Saliya due to lack of understanding of the significance of these buildings.
Yathuru Pokuna at Ruwanweli Maha Seya is quite large and made of stone blocks. Perfectly carved blocks of stones have been tightly fitted together to create the pond. The pond gradually enlarges itself from the bottom to the top. No historical information is found of the pond
The steps of the Yathuru Pokuna II is made of granite and the side walls as well the pond is made of bricks. It is believed that this is the pond that Aggabodhi II (608-618) built to supply the water needs of the Bodhigahara of the Jethawanaramaya Monastery as per Mahavamsa.
The steps of the pond is made of granite and the side walls as well the pond is made of bricks. The pond gradually enlarges itself from the bottom to the top. It is believed that this pond has been built to supply the water needs of the priests of the Diyasen Paya Chapter House (Uposthagara) of the Jethawanaramaya Monastery.
What Lovamahapaya was to Mahavihara Monastery and Rathna Prasada to Abhayagiri Monastery, Diyasen Paya is to Jathawana Monastery. The ground plan is similar to Lovamahapaya and Ratnaprasadaya but smaller in size.
