Heritage

Western Monastery ‘J’ of Ancient Anuradhapura (අනුරාධපුර බටහිර ආරාමය J)

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Ruins of the Western Monastery 'J' of Ancient Anuradhapura — Ruins of the Western Monastery ‘J’ 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 monasteries found west of Anuradhapura Ancient City are identified as

Western Monastery A
Western Monastery B
Western Monastery C
Western Monastery D
Western Monastery E
Western Monastery F
Western Monastery G
Western Monastery H
Western Monastery I
Western Monastery J and
Western Monastery K
Western Monastery M
Western Monastery N

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

Western Monastery “J” lies hidden near the minor reservoir called Lolugas Wewa where the Watawandana Road meets Arippu Road. The ruins have been conserved but due to lack of foot traffic, the area is partially covered in shrubs jungle again.

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

References

Bandaranayake, S., 1974. Sinhalese Monastic Architecture – The Viharas of Anuradhapura. Leiden: Brill.

Also See

Anuradhapura – The city of the God King

Map of Western Monastery ‘J’ of Ancient Anuradhapura

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Driving Directions to Anuradhapura (Western Monastery ‘J’)

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. From Kurunegala, there are two main routes to Anuradhapura. 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 Western Monastery ‘J’

Distance : 5 kilometers
Travel time : 15 minutes
Driving directions : see on google map

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References

Also See

Map of Western Monastery ‘J’ of Ancient Anuradhapura

Driving Directions to Anuradhapura (Western Monastery ‘J’)

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