Amid the sacred landscape of Anuradhapura, the ancient Siva Kovil near Abhaya Wewa stands in silent ruin. Once crafted from finely dressed granite with classic Hindu architecture, much of its splendor now lives on in the nearby Pillaiyar Kovil, where its relics and the original Shiva Lingam remain preserved.
Padhanaghara complexes were used by the meditating monks and are located away from the cities and human settlements. Padhanaghara are built in 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.
Historical photographs from the late 19th and early 20th centuries depict several large statues surrounding the Ruwanweli Maha Seya stupa. Among them are standing Buddha statues and two figures believed to represent ancient kings.
According to the description provided on the information board of the site, it states that the building exhibits the style of architecture of the Anuradhapura period and according to folklore, this was the palace of the king’s viceroy. As to who built it or its purpose is uncertain. From the design, it could be surmised that the structure has been built for purposes other than a palace. The building has been conserved in 1951.
The Western Monastery “N” is located in a shrub jungle about 75 meters off Watawandana Road. Its secluded location makes it unlikely for any pilgrim to discover or explore. To reach the site, travel along the Watawandana Road from the other cluster of Western Monasteries around the intersection of Arippu Road towards Jethavanaramaya.
The Western Monastery “M” is located in a shrub jungle about 750 meters off Watawandana Road. Its secluded location makes it unlikely for any pilgrim to discover or explore. To reach the site, travel along the Watawandana Road from the other cluster of Western Monasteries around the intersection of Arippu Road towards Jethavanaramaya.
The Western Monastery “E” is located in the shrub jungle along Watawandana Road, close to Arippu Road. Its secluded location makes it unlikely for any pilgrim to discover or explore. To reach the site, turn onto Watawandana Road at Lolugaswewa Junction on Arippu Road, travel 360 meters, and then take the narrow gravel road to the left at the 2km post near a new Buddhist temple.
The Western Monastery “D” is located in the shrub jungle along Watawandana Road, close to Arippu Road. Its secluded location makes it unlikely for any pilgrim to discover or explore. To reach the site, turn onto Watawandana Road at Lolugaswewa Junction on Arippu Road, travel 375 meters, and then take the narrow gravel road to the left.
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.
The newly uncovered Image House is situated just south of the southeast corner of Lovamahapaya. Adjacent to its southern side, extending from the Sri Maha Bodhi courtyard, lies Dikman Road, established during the English colonial period. The section of the road near the monument, now outside the Sri Maha Bodhi courtyard, serves as the Perahara road, recently constructed utilizing cement block stones.
The 75 meter high Abhayagiri stupa was constructed in the reign of King Vattagamini Abaya (commonly known as King Valagamba) in the 1st Century BC after the defeat of the Inidan Invaders in the country.
Asokaramaya is located in a beautiful surrounding in the village of Pankuliya. This is a fairly unknown site to the average pilgrim but has one of the best carved Buddha statues in the country today. This statute equals the quality of the famous Samadhi Statue and the Tholuvila statue (which is now kept in the Colombo museum).
The Western Monastery “K” in Anuradhapura lie 800 meters on Watawandana Road from the roundabout where the Watawandana Road joins the Arippu Road. The ruins of “K” lie opposite to the Ruins J on the same road but covered in shrub jungle.
The main component of the hermitages of these monks were the padhanagaras or the meditation houses, which were beautifully built of well-proportioned and meticulously- dressed plain stone. The distinguishing feature of these monuments is that they are made up of two sections- a residential pasada or kuti at the back and an open platform or malaka in front- joined together by a relatively narrow passage or stone bridge. Its foundations were built in such a manner that a moat surrounded the platforms.
Western Monastery “J” lies hidden near the minor reservoir called Lolugas Wewa where the Watawandana Road meets Arippu Road. The ruins have been conserved but due to lack of foot traffic, the area is covered in shrubs jungle again.
The concealed Western Monastery “C” lies nestled amidst contemporary residences and overgrown shrub jungles in Anuradhapura off Arippu Road. Its secluded location makes it unlikely for any pilgrim to discover or explore. While some restoration efforts have been made in the past to revive parts of the main Padhanaghara complex, a significant portion of the area is currently dominated by shrub jungle, having fallen into disuse.
The concealed Western Monastery B lies nestled amidst contemporary residences and overgrown shrub jungles in Anuradhapura. Its secluded location makes it unlikely for any pilgrim to discover or explore. While some restoration efforts have been made in the past to revive parts of the main Padhanaghara complex, a significant portion of the area is currently dominated by shrub jungle, having fallen into disuse.
Western Monastery “A” is tucked away among modern houses and dense shrub jungle in Anuradhapura, making it nearly invisible to pilgrims and visitors. The main Padhanaghara complex underwent partial restoration in the past, but due to neglect, much of the site is now overgrown with vegetation.
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.
The Anointing Pavilion of Abhayagiriya of Anuradhapura belongs to the type described as snanagraha (bathing house) described in the Bodhicharyavatara. It had been the practice to anoint the Buddha statues with fragrant water as Mahayana rituals. Such festivals are held even today in Sri Lanka.
