To the north east of royal palace of of king Vijayabahu I, lies Gedige, between some other ruins rarely visited by pilgrims. Although the history of this structure is not known, the building has been built entirely from bricks, a rarity in Anuradhapura.
About one hundred thirty meters to the east of Thuparama Dagoba lies a small stupa identified as the Sangamiththa Stupa. It is said in ancient chronicles that the king Uttiya enshrined the ashes of Arhath Sangamitta Theri to the east of the Thuparama stupa. Archaeologists believe that this is the stupa mentioned in the chronicles.
Mayura Pirivena in Anuradhapura is one of the primary learning centers belonging to the Maha Viharaya Aramic Complex during the Anuradhapura era. This Pirivena has been built by king Buddhadasa (340-368) according to ancient records.
Padanagara are built on a unique architectural style with a moat surrounding them. Quite often these structures were built as twin structures on a rocky outcrop surrounded by the moat.
Padhanaghara are built on a unique architectural style with a moat surrounding them. Quite often these structures were built as twin structures on a rocky outcrop surrounded by the moat.
According the Great Chronicle Mahavamsa, Buddha has placed his foot print at the site of Padalanchana Chethiya rising to the air to return to India after his 3rd visit to Sri Lanka.
According the brief description on the board by the Department of Archaeology, this building has been used as the meeting hall of the bikkhus of the Maha Viharaya. The body of the Maha Mahinda Thero has been kept here before cremation.
It has been identified Toluvila as the place where the Great Mahinda Thero took shelter on their way from Chethiya Pabbatha to Maha Viharaya in the 3rd century BC. The Toluvila monastery belongs to the late Anuradhapura period (7-9th centuries).
The road leading to this rather unknown Halpan Ela Gal Palama is located close to the Kuttam Pokuna (Twin Ponds). Traveling 3 kms from Sangamitta Mawatha, you can reach the point where this ancient stone bridge crosses the Halpan Ela.
Nakha Vehera is a rare, square-shaped brick stupa in Anuradhapura’s northern zone, likely dating to the late Anuradhapura period. Standing seven meters tall, its unique Mahayana-influenced design features tiered structures and recessed niches. This distinctive architectural gem offers a fascinating, less-traveled glimpse into Sri Lanka’s diverse ancient Buddhist heritage.
Massive granite pillars where the massive Mahapali Alms Hall stood and a rice trough made of granite lies within these ruins covering over 1/4 acres. One of the main attractions is the deep well which would have supplied water to the alms hall.
Close the road between Oyamaduwa and Tanthirimale lies the Navodagama Archaeology Site which consist of granite base pillars of a Tampita Vihara ( a temple on pillars) and remains of a ancient stupa and other ruins.
Close the road between Oyamaduwa and Tanthirimale lies the Navodagama Archaeology Site which consist of granite base pillars of a Tampita Vihara ( a temple on pillars) and remains of a ancient stupa and other ruins.
Billewa Barathanaga Cave Temple, near Thanthirimale, is a 3rd-century BC complex featuring ancient drip-ledge caves and prehistoric paintings. Its namesake inscription records a donation by Barathanaga to Buddhist monks. Designated as a protected archaeological site, these caves preserve vital Early Brahmi inscriptions and reflect Sri Lanka’s profound spiritual and prehistoric heritage.
Hiriwadunna Sri Bodhiraja Forest Hermitage is an ancient temple complex which came in to limelight few years ago when a controversial book claimed that Bodh Gaya was in fact at Hiriwadunna.
The ancient ruins of Buddhangala (Buddhannehela) Viharaya are situated about 10 kilometers away from Padaviya on the Kebithigollewa road close to the Anuradhapura – Vavunia boundary.
Kalagam Vehera is an ancient temple complex going back to the per-chirstian times in Yakawewa, Kabithigollewa. With the migration of the civilization to the South hundreds of flourishing Buddhists monasteries were either destroyed by the Tamil forces or left for nature to take its due course.
Veheragala Archaeology site now called Siri Sangabo Rajamaha Viharaya lies in between the Anuradhapura – Kahatagasdigiliya Road. Traveling 36 km from Tissa Wewa from Anuradhapura, the turn off to the temple is marked by a board installed by the Department of Archaeology.
At Navehera Archaeological Site, Excavation and preservation has been carried out of a fairly large Stupa with circumference of approximately 60m, ruins of number of buildings consisting granite pillars and balustrades and an pillar inscription can be seen among the preserved artifacts.
Pemaduwa is an area of historical significance. During the reign of King Devanampiyathissa, Sangamiththa Therani, on her way to Anuradhapura, is said to have rested in this area for a while and kept the sapling of the Sri Maha Bodhi in a ‘Maduwa’ (a make-shift hut) and allowed the villagers to worship.
