Western Monastery "A"of Ancient Anuradhapura

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Ruins of the Western Monastery 'A' of Ancient Anuradhapura

A special type of vihara complex is found in the western and northwestern suburbs of the ancient city of 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 is that their central structure is made up of 2 segments, a prasada and a malaka connected through a narrow passage.

Padhanaghara complexes were designed for meditating monks and were typically situated away from cities and human settlements. They feature a distinctive architectural style, characterized by a surrounding moat. Often, these structures were built as twin buildings on rocky outcrops, encircled by the moat. In some cases, like this particular complex, waterways also run beneath the buildings.

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.

The layout centers on two rectangular, stone-faced platforms connected by a stone bridge, forming the main building. The platforms, carefully engineered with retaining walls and moats, rise above the natural rock surface and were reached through an eastern avenue lined with decorated stone foundations. The entrance was marked by a flight of steps, flanked by sculpted balustrades and plain but dignified guard stones, leading into the monastery compound.

The main structure likely supported a large wooden building with a tiled roof. About twenty-four rough-hewn stone pillars still mark its layout, arranged in groups at the corners and framing a rectangular central hall. Around this hall were seven smaller rooms, accessed directly from the central space. Excavation evidence—such as narrow stone troughs marking wall lines and door thresholds—suggests that the walls were not of brick but constructed from wood or wattle and daub, with the stone pillars carrying the weight of the roof.

The wider compound contained smaller pillared structures, paths winding into the jungle, and a probable lavatory building. To the north and northwest stood additional rectangular foundations, some better preserved than others. One of these included a threshold trough possibly used for ritual washing, while others were already in decay, their rough stone facings collapsed. Together, these ruins demonstrate how the monastery was not a single building but a complex with multiple functional spaces.

A Chinese bronze coin from the Hsuan Ho period (1119 A.D.) of the Sung Dynasty was discovered, providing a link between this monastic site and international trade networks of medieval Sri Lanka.

The site lies off the Arippu road past Western Monastery B.

Plan of the Western Monastery 'A' of Ancient Anuradhapura — Plan of the Western Monastery ‘A’ of Ancient Anuradhapura
Source: Sinhalese Monastic Architecture: The Viháras of Anurádhapura By S. D. Bandaranayake

Padhanaghara monasteries found west of the Ancient City of Anuradhapura are identified as

References

Bandaranayake, S., 1974. Sinhalese Monastic Architecture – The Viharas of Anuradhapura. Leiden: Brill.
Hocart, A. M. (1924). Memoirs of the Archaeological Survey of Ceylon: Vol. I–VI (1st ed.). Archaeological Survey of Ceylon.

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 (Western Monastery ‘A’)

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