Western Monastery "C"of Ancient Anuradhapura

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Ruins of the Western Monastery 'C' of Ancient Anuradhapura — Ruins of the Western Monastery ‘C’ of Ancient Anuradhapura

In the western and northwestern outskirts of the ancient city of Anuradhapura, one can discover a unique category of vihara complexes known by different names such as ‘Outer Circular Road Palaces,’ ‘Western Ruins,’ ‘Western Monasteries,’ ‘Double-platform buildings,’ ‘Tapovana Monasteries,’ and ‘Padhanagara Monasteries.’ What sets these structures apart is their distinctive design, featuring a central composition comprising two segments – a prasada and a malaka – interconnected by a narrow passage.

Padhanaghara Complexes were used by the meditating monks and are located away from the cities and human settlements. Padhanaghara are built in a unique architectural style with a moat surrounding them. Quite often these structures were built as twin structures on a rocky outcrop surrounded by the moat. Sometimes there are waterways even inside the moat underneath the buildings, such as this building complex.

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 approach to these ruins is from the east, leading through two rectangular stone-walled enclosures connected by avenues. These avenues, built with double rows of rough stones, branch north, south, and west to form raised promenades and pathways. A modern water channel now cuts across one avenue.

At the heart stands Building C1, enclosed by a brick wall and raised terrace drained by stone gargoyles. The eastern entrance porch, partly reconstructed with stone and reinforced concrete, features plain guardstones, pilastered balustrades, and a rectangular threshold. Its roofed portico, supported by stone pillars, once had wooden double doors with pivot sockets still visible. Smaller postern gates in the north and south walls are now ruined.

The main platform shows evidence of careful drainage, with flat slabs and gargoyles carved with floral patterns. A massive stone bridge, once roofed and pillared, links this to the second platform, built on an outcrop of rock above a deep moat. The second platform carries twenty-four pillars grouped at its corners, with remnants of moulded stone plinths marking the vanished upper structure.

Inside the compound is a rock-cut pond with steps, partly enclosed by the wall. Surrounding buildings include:

C2: a sixteen-pillared stone platform, likely a hall.
C3: a lavatory with a stone couch, connected by paths to a latrine and a scavenger’s hut.
C5: a dyeing house with two stone basins and a pillared roof.
C6 & C7: twin pillared platforms, possibly dwellings or image houses.
C8 & C9: rough rubble platforms, likely huts or minor structures.

A little further back on this road lies the ite identified as Western Monastery “A”.

Plan of the Western Monastery 'C' of Ancient Anuradhapura — Plan of the Western Monastery ‘C’ of Ancient Anuradhapura

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 ‘C’)

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