Western Monastery "M"of Ancient Anuradhapura

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An enhanced and colorized photo taken in 1924 of the Western Monastery 'M' of Ancient Anuradhapura — An enhanced and colorized photo taken in 1924 of the Western Monastery ‘M’ of Ancient Anuradhapura

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 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 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 and covered by shrub jungle due to disuse are found just before the Aranya Senasanaya.

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

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).
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

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 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