Western Monastery "J"of Ancient Anuradhapura

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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 ‘Padhanaghara 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 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 jungle shrubs again.

This Padhanaghara lies on lower ground, and unlike Western Monastery “H”, it has no eastern flight of steps or formal avenue. The terraced basement of the wall is reached only through small postern gates, with no steps flanking the main porch.

Unique Features of the Terrace

On the lower terrace around the second platform lies a remarkable stone slab, hollowed at the center into a shape resembling a mango fruit. Beneath it, the rock is cut into a faintly similar outline, forming a deep pool. Unlike in Western Monastery “H”, this pool lies to the east, reached by a flight of stone steps descending into the moat. Above, two stone pedestals stand, each carved with open lotus blossoms.

The lavatory stone, once in its usual place, has unfortunately disappeared, leaving only its foundations.

Corner Canopies and Image Bases

In the northeast and southwest corners stood small canopies sheltering standing images, much like those in Western Monastery “H”. However, the bases here are round rather than square, a notable variation in design.

Buildings Within the Compound

Building 2 rises on a solid second platform, not hollowed, with twenty-four columns above ground level. This likely supported a brick house.
Building 3 follows a similar form.
Building 4 serves as the latrine but differs from Western Monastery “H” in its construction—long stone slabs slope away at the back instead of a sunken trough.

Building 5 is distinctive: only its southern side is paved, where two large circles are cut into the stone. At the bottom of these pits, lined with mud, bricks with central hollows were found. These may once have supported large copper cauldrons, serving in place of the massive stone basins of Monastery H.

The Northeastern Pool

A large pool lies to the north-east of the compound, but here it connects to the main enclosure by a winding road rather than a straight path. Beside it, a small shed on the western side is a later addition, suggesting adaptation in use over time.

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

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