Anuradhapura Thuparamaya Chapter House (අනුරාධපුර ථුපාරාම උපෝසථාගාරය)

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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 King

Map of Anuradhapura Thuparamaya Chapter House

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Driving Directions to Anuradhapura Thuparamaya Chapter House

Colombo to Anuradhapura By Bus

Anuradhapura is easily reached by bus, train or private transport. Air-conditioned and non-air-conditioned buses start at the Colombo Fort Main Bus Station. There are luxury busses which start from various places in Colomb travelling past Anuradhapura, to Vavuniya and Jaffna. However, you need to search the web and book a seat. These luxury buses mostly travel at night reaching their final destination early in the morning.

Colombo to Anuradhapura By Train

5 daily trains are starting from Fort Railway Station to Anuradhapura. Generally, the first train leaves at 9.40 am and the last train at 8.30 pm. Travel time is 4-5 hours depending on the number of stops of the particular train.

Colombo to Anuradhapura By Car or Van

Anuradhapura can be reached through many routes from Colombo. The two main routes are through Puttalam (Puttalama) and through Kurunegala. Travelling from Puttalam, you will pass the scenic Wilpattu area. There are two main routes to Anuradhapura from Kurunegala. The most common route is through Dambulla. The other route is through Galgamuwa. Out of all the routes, the most commonly used is the Kurunegala-Dambulla route (Route 2).

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 map	Through : Katunayake Expressway – Central Expressway – Kurunegala – Dambulla Distance from Colombo : 223 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 map	Through : Katugastota – Matale – Dambulla Distance from Colombo :136 km Travel Time : 3.5 hours Driving Directions : see on Google map

Route from Anuradhapura Railway Station to Thuparamaya Chapter House

Distance : 3 kilometers
Travel time : 10 minutes
Driving directions : see on google map

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