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),.
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.
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.
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.
Timbiri Pokuna (Thimbiri Pond) is considered the largest pond in the Jetavanarama Aramic complex in Anuradhapura. This pond was was first identified Mr. HCP Bell and recorded in the Archaeology report of 1893. However no restoration or archaeological digging has been carried out.
Kaparamula is the oldest Buddhist education center in Abhayagri Monastery and one of the most popular center during the late Anuradhapura period.
This rare square stupa lies west of Eth Pokuna on the western border of the Abhayagiri Monastery among many other conserved structures and rarely visited by the average pilgrim.
Thuparamaya is Sri Lanka’s first stupa, built by King Devanampiya Tissa in the 3rd century BCE to enshrine the Buddha’s right collarbone. Its unique bell shape and concentric granite pillars once supported a wooden Vatadage roof. This sacred site remains a pinnacle of early Buddhist architecture and devotion.
