Western Monastery "M"of Ancient Anuradhapura

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In the western and northwestern suburbs of ancient Anuradhapura, a unique type of vihara complex can be found. These complexes are known by various names, including ‘Outer Circular Road Palaces,’ ‘Western Ruins,’ ‘Western Monasteries,’ ‘Double-platform buildings,’ ‘Tapovana Monasteries,’ and ‘Padhanagara Monasteries.’ A distinctive feature of these buildings is their central structure, which consists of two segments: a prasada and a malaka, connected by a narrow passage.

Padhanaghara monasteries found west of Anuradhapura Ancient City are identified as

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. 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 Western Monastery “M” is located in a shrub jungle about 750 meters off Watawandana Road. Its secluded location makes it unlikely for any pilgrim to discover or explore. To reach the site, travel along the Watawandana Road from the other cluster of Western Monasteries around the intersection of Arippu Road towards Jethavanaramaya. After 2.5 km from the intersection, you will come across Galkadawala Road on the left. Travel 650 metres on this road and turn left to take the gravel road towards Damma Parami Aranya Senasanaya. The ruins, largely hidden within this forest patch, covered by shrub jungle due to disuse are found just before the Aranya Senasanaya.

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

References

Bandaranayake, S., 1974. Sinhalese Monastic Architecture – The Viharas of Anuradhapura. Leiden: Brill.
Archaeological Sites Web App (no date) ArcGIS web application. Available at: https://archaeologysl.maps.arcgis.com/apps/webappviewer/index.html (Accessed: 27 May 2024).

Also See

Anuradhapura – The city of the God King

Map of Western Monastery ‘M’ of Ancient Anuradhapura

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Driving Directions to Anuradhapura (Western Monastery ‘M’)

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