Just 120 meters south of the Salapathala Maluwa of Jethawnaramaya, lies a structure known as Buddhist Railing which has been discussed and analysed by great many travellers and authors since the British discovered it in the 1800’s. This is a site enclosed by a large railing made completely of stone slabs and pillars.
Discover Kaluebe Archaeology Site, a hidden hilltop sanctuary near Anuradhapura, spanning the Anuradhapura to Kandyan periods. Explore drip-lined caves, ancient image houses, dagobas, statues, and sacred stones, set against the serene Kaluebe range beside historic Ritigala, revealing centuries of devotion, craftsmanship, and mountain-bound monastic life.
Discover the Memorial of Nuwarawewa Bandara near Ruwanweliseya, honoring the last direct heir of Prince Bodhiguptha, guardian of the Sri Maha Bodhi and Atamasthana, where lineage, devotion, and Anuradhapura’s sacred history converge in quiet reverence.
Maninaga Mandiraya Monastery is a small ruined monastic complex within the larger Mihintale Monastery which lies at the base of the main stairs in Mihintale. Five rectangular buildings are are enclosed within a large wall. At the center is a square building which is presumed to be a image house.
Uttimaduwa Asanaghara is located in Uttimaduwa Village in Anuradhapura District. This location was first explored in 1962. The stone Asana was measured to be 11 feet 8 inches in length 5 feet wide and about 1 foot thick.
Climbing halfway on the massive stone stairs of Mihintale will bring you the access path to the Giribanda Seya Stupa. Passing the pond known as Thimbiri Pokuna will bring you to this stupa and the surrounding ruins on top of a flattened hilltop.
Sinha Pokuna is where the one of the best animal carvings of Anuradhapura period can be found in the country. On a higher terrace from Singha Pokuna ruins, about 50 meters away lies another group of buildings hidden from the traveller and unknown to many. This site is called Pothgula (the library).
Mihintale monastery complex is covered with many sub units which the average traveller or the pilgrims are unaware of. Traveling few meters past the Lions Pond (Singha Pokuna) on the old road, you will come across a massive rocky outcrop on the right. The cluster of caves which has been built using these rock shelters are collectively called “Ata Seta Len” or the “Sixty Eight Caves”.
Katu Seya is a unique 8th-century Mahayana stupa located near the entrance of the Mihintale complex. Legend suggests it enshrines the smithy tools and iron implements used to construct the monastery. Built with a granite base and brick dome, its excavations famously unearthed copper plates inscribed with Sanskrit Mahayana Sutras.
This early Brahmi inscription named Tamil Householders’ Terrace inscription by Prof Paranavithana belonging to the pre christian era, the 3rd century BC. This is made on a rocky outcrop on the Deeghapashana rock which runs along the Vessagiriya to Vijayaramaya.
The hidden attraction of the Divulawewa Archaeological Reserve is the exquisite Samadhi Buddha statue carved out of sandstone almost a replica of the Samadhi Statue of Anuradhapura. This Samadhi statue is also similar in style and well preserved.
The rock cave complex known as the ‘Digapashana Caves’ is also known as the ‘Sudassana Padhanagaraya’ lies about 500 meters west to the Abhayagiri Stupa. There are 9 caves with drip ledges in this complex are now under excavation and restoration.
Built on a natural rock foundation, the Wilewewa Amuna is 42 meters long and 9.5 meters wide. It is difficult to get an idea of the height of the amuna as the top surface is completely destroyed.
This ancient Ilukwewa Amuna is located below the Hurulu Wewa, which is located about 500 meters away from the main road of the Ilukwewa village on the Galenbindunuwewa – Kahatagasdigiliya road
This amuna is located in the Anuradhapura District of the North Central Province bordering the Kahatagasdigiliya Divisional Secretariat. Remains of this ancient stone weir can be seen across Yan Oya which flows from the edge of the village of Ethalawetunuwewa on the Dachchahalmillewa – Kekirawa road.
This amuna is found across the Yan Oya in the jungle about 3 km from the D2 zone of the Wahalkada farming colony bordering the Anuradhapura and Trincomalee districts.
Kokebe is a remote village in the Kahatagasdigiliya Divisional Secretariat Division in the Anuradhapura District. Konwewa is the nearest village to Kokebe.
King Mahasen (276-303) is said to have been able to work even with demons (Yakas) and the villagers call it the Yakabemma Palama as it is believed that this structure was built by the Yakas.
The inscription is 8 feet long and 3 feet wide with 6 lines across it. Here all the letters are clear except the letters 5,6 and 7 in the first line. The letters vary in height from 4 to 7 inches and from 2 to 5 inches in width. This article was written in Dakshina Brahmi script of the late 2nd century.
The Padaviya Wewa reservoir, one of the biggest ever constructed during the Anuradhapura Kingdom, is believed to have been constructed in the second or third century BC. Governor Sir Henry Ward (1797–1860) described it as the “most gigantic of all works” and estimated that “its construction must have occupied a million people for 10–15 years.”
