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| Year and Month | May, 2012 (19th & 20th) |
| Number of Days | 2 Days (1 night) |
| Crew | 2 persons (Myself Driving, and my wife) |
| Accommodation | One night at kedella inn not much to talk about as it was hurriedly arranged by a friend in Anuradhapura |
| Transport | Lite Ace van |
| Activities | Visits to Buddhist sites not normally visited by Average Pilgrims to Anuradhapura |
| Weather | Dry but ok |
| Route | Colombo -> Minuwangoda -> Giriulla -> kadahapola -> Padeniya -> Talawa -> Anuradhapura |
| Tips, Notes and Special remark |
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| Author | Soysa |
| Comments | Discuss this trip report, provide feedback or make suggestions at Lakdasun Forum on the thread |
After returning from a trip to Orissa the Kalinga Kingdom of Emperor Asoka on the 17th May 2012, I had to attend meeting in Anuradhapura 19th Morning. To make the trip useful before travelling to Anuradhapura we planned that after having finished the meeting which took few hours, to spend the rest of the weekend visiting the uncommon sites in Anuradhapura not normally visited by an average pilgrim.
Map of Anuradhapura
We started near Thuparama and traveled along reading the road directions and walking around the area.
The Thuparama Maha Vihara site was the first area we explored having the important sites mentioned below.
Sangamittha Chietya
The small chatiya can be seen near the eastern side of the Thuparama Maha dagoba.It is to the left of the gravel road and hardly notice if you are especially not looking for it. Bikkuni Reverend Sangamitta upon arriving with the Sri Maha Bodhi lived in Thuparama Vihara with the other entourage of bikkunies who arrived with her.
 Sangamittha Chietya |
 Sangamittha Chietya |
Pada lanjana Chietya
This Small chietya is also near the eastern gate of the Thuparama Maha Chietya but very close to the main road. The chronicles mentioned the Lord Buddhas named Kakusanda Konagama and Kassapa of the forma kalpas and present Lord Buddha Gautama of this kalpa after visiting Sri Lanka in their times left to India from this point by psychic power. This is a spot blessed by four Lord Buddha’s
 Pada lanjana Chietya |
 Pada lanjana Chietya |
Patimagaraya
Close to the Sanagamitta chietya is the remains of a building also to the eastern side of the Thuparama Maha Chietya. This was supposed to be a Image house but earlier it was thought to be a temple which had the daladawa.
 Patimagaraya |
Next we proceeded to The Abayagiri Maha dagoba but did not take photos as it is a common important site visited by all pilgrims to Anuradhapura. Traveling north and turning left on the Sangamittha road which is marked with sites to be seen by any pilgrim we came to the Palace of King Vijayabahu.
The Royal Palace of King Vijayabahu 1st
Going north along Sangamittha Road, on the left is the Royal Palace of Vijayabahu. This Palace was the work of the King Vijayabahu I, who liberated Sri Lanka from the Chola Empire. Three years after defeating the Colas from India he celebrated his consecration in Anuradhapura. But he selected to rule from Polonnaruwa and shifted the capital there.
He entered Anuradhapura in triumph in 1070 A.D. But after the period of Chola rule in Sri Lanka, Anuradhapura was no longer a suitable place for the capital. It had been thoroughly looted and burnt, and the population had considerably diminished. Vijayabahu himself had his main residence at Polonnaruwa, so this place is really only a provincial royal residence. The royal palaces of earlier times probably lie underneath the present structure. This building we see today is thought to be the temporary palace he constructed to for the celebrations in Anuradhapura. This building as it stands today measures 128×216 feet (39×66 metres)
 Click Image to Enlarge |
 The guard stones at the entrance to the palace represent "Sankhanihi" and "Padmanidhi", the two attendants of Kuvera. |
 Frescoes were discovered on the walls, but these have largely disappeared |
 Today the road cuts across the courtyard of the palace |
 .... and the gatehouse lies on the other side of it |
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Travelling on the same road we come to the Dalada Maligawa.
This is considered the first Dalada Maligawa in Sri Lanka. As the Dalada relic was brought to Sri Lanka it was kept at Issurumuni Viharaya until a permanent Dalada Medura was built. It was also called Dalada Ge.
We on our earlier travels have traced the rout taken by the two Prince Danta and Princes Hemamala arriving at Lanka Patuna and coming down via number of Viharas giving temporary shelter to the Dalada Relic up to Vauniya and then up to Anuradhapura. We have missed only Saliyapura viharaya close to Anuradhapura where King Kithsiri Mevan received the dalada relic. Which we hope to visit some time next.
We both were fortunate to visit Orrissa, Kalinga Deshaya for 10 days in the second week of May 2012 visiting sites where The Dalada relic was and to trace the start of the Dalada coming to Sri Lanka but cannot put the 70 page trip report in Lakdasun as it was a foreign trip.
 Information |
 the first Dalada Maligawa in Sri Lanka |
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Mahapalee dana Shalawa
Travelling further we come across The Maha Palee Dana Shalawa was built by King Devanampiyathissa.. Although with foreign invasions the Dana Shalawa or the Alms house functioned till the 11th century.
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 well with steps leading to the water level |
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The above well is a magnificent construction with steps leading to the water level and it is said that a special area is there to keep pots bringing in to get water.
The Buth Oruwa
The Buth Oruwa or the large receptacle which rice was put to be served to the Maha Sangha. This is supposed to be the largest Rice receptacle or Buth Oruwa in Anuradhapura
 The Buth Oruwa or the large receptacle |
Kapara Mula
Traveling further on the same road we come across the Kapara Mula Complex.
The Abhayagiri was made four mula’s, fraternities or institutions for religious teaching. They were Uttara Mula, Kapara Mula, Mahanetpamula and Vahadu-mula.
This was one such Vihara Complexes
The Kuttam pokuna is close by and it is a part of the complex.
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 Click Image to Enlarge |
 Click Image to Enlarge |
 KaparaMula Complex |
 KaparaMula Complex |
Gal Palama
Traveling further on to the right side of the road we come to the Gal Palama or the stone bridge. It is said that Reverend Bikkuni Sangamittha came to Anuradhapura crossing the Mal Wathu Oya River from the Gal Palama.King Devanampiyathissa led the procession on crossing via the bridge. The marvelous construction shows the technology our ancestors had during the past glorious era
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 Gal Palama or the stone bridge |
 Gal Palama or the stone bridge |
Naka Vihara
Naka Vihara is a square-shaped stupa built of bricks. This is constructed according to an unusual model and would have been similar to the 7 storied building (Satmahal Prasadaya) in Polonnaruwa. Excavations done at this location revealed several clay caskets. Naka is nail and it is supposed that the Nail Relic of Lord Buddha may have been enshrined at the dagoba. The construction was by King Mahasena built according to the Mahayana tradition.
 Click Image to Enlarge |
 Naka Vihara is a square-shaped stupa built of bricks |
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We now turn back and travel towards Jetawanaramaya Maha Seya.The Main monastery is to the east of the Chaitya. The construction is like a Gandakuti style in India and now only stone pillars are left to be seen.
 The Main monastery to the east of Jetawanaramaya Maha Seya |
 now only stone pillars are left to be seen |
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JantaGara
Below is the Jantagara a spa or a steam bath for sick monks in the ancient times. It’s mentioned that sick monks have their bodied rubbed with medicinal oils and cover with Mud slabs and get a steam bath here.
 Jantagara a spa or a steam bath for sick monks |
 Jantagara a spa or a steam bath for sick monks (Click Image to Enlarge) |
 The oldest Image house at the Jethawana Monastery is above and built as a Gandakuti Style |
 Click Image to Enlarge |
 The Poya Gee or the Chapter House of the Monastery built on 176 stone pillars |
 Click Image to Enlarge |
The Pond at Jethawana Monastary
The pond at the monastery resembles the Kuttam Pokuna The twin Pond although we visited, I did not put photographs as many visit the site and a common site. A flight of steps lead to the water and two guard stones are at the end.
 The Pond at Jethawana Monastary |
 Click Image to Enlarge |
 The pond at the monastery resembles the Kuttam Pokuna |
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The Assembly Hall of the monastary
 The Assembly Hall of the monastary |
 Click Image to Enlarge |
Next day we set out early to complete the round trip in the morning hours as we could get back to Colombo by evening
We travelled towards Issurumuniya but did not take many Photos as it’s a regular pilgrims spot.
Dakkina Stupa
This is close to Issurumuniya on the main road of the Kurunegala road towards to the left. Dakkina Stupa or the Southern monastery as it was called earlier. It was the site where king Devanapiyathissa was to have been cremated and later King Dehtu Gemunu too was cremated here.
 Click Image to Enlarge |
 Dakkina Stupa or the Southern monastery |
Travelling to the right we come to the Ran Masu Uyana. The Royal Park and where Prince Saliya Ans Asokamala met.
As there is a fine trip report on Ran Masu Uyana I will only put few Photos for record purpose only.
 Click Image to Enlarge |
 Ran Masu Uyana |
 Ran Masu Uyana |
 Ran Masu Uyana |
 Ran Masu Uyana |
Vessagiriya
Passing Issurumuniya and travelling on the Kurunegala road little futher we come to Vessagiriya. One historical story is that 500 persons belonging to the Vessa Clan was ordained here and it was called Vessagiriya. Some say that Reverend Maha Mahinda may have also stayed at this vihara. But it is a cave monastery complex with kataram and walls with bricks.
 Vessagiriya is a cave monastery complex with kataram and walls with bricks |
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Coming back to Tissawewa and travel on the old Puttalam road towards Willachiya and on that rioad we came across Patanagaras where bikkus were residing. Pattna is meditation and may be these were used as mediating monasteries and there were numerous Patanagaras on the road to Wilachiya.
 Patanagaras where bikkus were residing |
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 Click Image to Enlarge |
 There were numerous Patanagaras on the road to Wilachiya |
The Western Monastery
The most important of these Patanagaras is the Western Monastery .it’s a large complex and the villagers refer it as the Detugamunu Palace. There is a canal surrounding the buildings may be to cool the place inside
 The most important of these Patanagaras is the Western Monastery |
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 The beautifully carved toilet seat is still preserved. |
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Travelling eastwards we came to the Bulankulama Wewa.
We came to the Abayagiri Complex and to the Ratna Prasada
Ratnaprasada
Constructed by King Kannita Tissa is the Assembly hall of the Abayagiri Monastery the later kings built seven stories on its foundation at later stages.
 Click Image to Enlarge |
 the Assembly hall of the Abayagiri Monastery |
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The most beautiful Guard Stone found in Sri Lanka is seen here and only one remains
 The most beautiful Guard Stone found in Sri Lanka |
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 The entrench to the Bodhigaraya was found by a British Archeologist and a stone building is named as Borrow’s Pavilion |
 Two stone inscriptions are preserved and it mentions the administrative regulations ruling the monastery. One inscription is by King Mahinda IV and the other by King Kasyapa |
 The prith Gee where Bickkus recited pirith and receive food rations |
 Click Image to Enlarge |
Moonstone 1 and 2
 Moon stone 1 |
 Moon stone 1 (Click Image to Enlarge) |
 Moonstone 2 - (Click Image to Enlarge) |
 Moonstone 2 - (Click Image to Enlarge) |
Passing the moonstone we come to the third Samadhi Buddha statue. Both hands had been broken hence it cannot be said that the statue is on Samadhi pose but the face of the statue gives a majestic appearance.
third Samadhi Buddha statue
The Eth pokuna
 The Eth pokuna |
 The Eth pokuna |
Finally we decided to see the visit the Toluvila monastery and a small chitya. It’s near the Petroleum Corporation storage tanks on the Jaffna a road. No person take notice of it may be few.
There has been a Toluvila statue is a seated image of the Buddha discovered at this site Carved out of granite, it is one of the best-preserved sculptures from Sri Lanka and is similar to the Samadhi statue of Anuradhapura. Some features of the statue indicate that it may have been influenced by the Mathura School. The statue is now kept at the National Museum of Colombo
 Toluvila monastery |
 Toluvila monastery |
 Small chitya at Toluvila monastery |
Having covers 480 Km we decide to return to Colombo.
It needs at least three days to see all important Buddhist sits at MahaMewna area and sacred area of Anuradhapura only.
The End