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.
A special type of vihara complexes are found western and northwestern suburbs of the city of ancient Anuradhapura. They are variously referred to as ‘Outer Circular Road Palaces‘, ‘Western Ruins‘ or ‘Western Monasteries‘, ‘Double-platform buildings‘, ‘Tapovana Monasteries‘, ‘Padhanagara Monasteries‘ etc., The distinctive feature of these buildings are that their central structure is made up of…
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.
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.
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.
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
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.
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.
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),.
