Anuradhapura Thuparamaya Chapter House

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Anuradhapura Thuparamaya Chapter House (අනුරාධපුර ථුපාරාම උපෝසථාගාරය)

Thuparamaya is the first stupa to be built in the country after the introduction of Buddhism to Sri Lanka. Built during the time of King Devamnampiyatissa (250BC – 210BC) this was a stupa as well as an Aramic complex (monastery). “As contemporary with Asoka ” (says Mr. Fergusson, in his History of Indian and Eastern Architecture ), “it belongs to the most interesting period of Buddhist history and is older, or, at least, as old as anything now existing on the continent of India” (Smither and Wikramagamage, 1993).

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) (Mendis, 1999).

At the entrance there are two beautiful guardstones, balustrades and a moonstone. The moonstone does not depict an advanced state of development. However, the guardstones and the balustrades display a highly developed state.

To the south of this chapter house is a guard stone accommodating the figure of a Yaksa. There is also a figure of an animal on one side. This has been an example of combining figures of animals representing the directions and figures in Yaksa guard stones.

Highly Developed Guardstones at Anuradhapura Thuparamaya Chapter House (අනුරාධපුර ථුපාරාම උපෝසථාගාරය)

Early Stage Moonstone at Anuradhapura Thuparamaya Chapter House (අනුරාධපුර ථුපාරාම උපෝසථාගාරය)

References

Wikramagamage, C., (2004). Heritage of Rajarata: Major natural, cultural, and historic sites. Colombo. Central Bank of Sri Lanka. p.61.
Mendis, R.C. (1999) The story of anuradhapura: Capital City of Sri Lanka from 377 BC – 1017 AD. Kotte: Lakshmi Mendis.

Also See

Anuradhapura – The city of the God Kings
Solosmasthana – The Sixteen Buddhist Sacred Sites Hallowed by Buddha
Atamasthana – The Eight Sacred Sites in Anuradhapura

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Driving Directions to Anuradhapura Thuparamaya Chapter House

Colombo to Anuradhapura By Bus

Anuradhapura can be conveniently reached by bus, train, or private transport. Both air-conditioned and non-air-conditioned buses operate from the Colombo Fort Main Bus Station. In addition, luxury buses departing from various locations in Colombo travel via Anuradhapura to Vavuniya and Jaffna; these require advance online booking and generally operate overnight, arriving at their final destinations early in the morning.

Colombo to Anuradhapura By Train

Five daily trains operate from Colombo Fort Railway Station to Anuradhapura. Typically, the first train departs at 9.40 a.m. and the last at 8.30 p.m. The journey takes approximately four to five hours, depending on the number of stops made by the particular service.

Colombo to Anuradhapura By Car or Van

Anuradhapura can be accessed from Colombo via several routes, with the two primary corridors running through Puttalam and Kurunegala. The Puttalam route passes the scenic Wilpattu area. From Kurunegala, there are two main approaches: the more commonly used route via Dambulla and an alternative route via Galgamuwa. Among all options, the Kurunegala–Dambulla route (Route 2) is the most frequently used.

Route 01 from Colombo to Anuradhapura	Route 02 from Colombo to Anuradhapura
Through: Negombo – Chilaw – Puttalam Distance from Colombo: 210 km Travel time: 4.30-5.00 hours Driving Directions: see on Google Maps	Through: Negombo – Chilaw – Puttalam Distance from Colombo: 210 km Travel time: 4.30-5.00 hours Driving Directions: see on Google Maps.
Route 03 from Colombo to Anuradhapura	Route from Kandy to Anuradhapura
Through : Katunayake Expressway – Narammala – Wariyapola – Padeniya – Thambuthegama Distance from Colombo: 203 km Travel Time: 4.30-5.00 hours Driving Directions: see on Google Maps	Through: Katugastota – Matale – Dambulla Distance from Colombo: 136 km Travel Time: 3.5 hours Driving Directions: see on Google Maps