Moonstone

Anuradhapura

Sitting northwest of the Abhayagiri Dagoba, this ruined 9th-century residential complex for monks is notable for having the finest carved moonstone in Sri Lanka; see how many species of animals you can find in its elaborate carvings. This is a peaceful wooded area full of butterflies, and makes a good place to stop and cool off during a tour of the ruins (there are drink and snack stands close by). Look for the fine steps held up by jovial gana (dwarfs).

It forms part of a structure often mistakenly described as Mahasena’s Palace or the Queen’s Pavilion.

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Nearby Anuradhapura attractions

1. Ratnaprasada

0.14 MILES

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2. Alms Hall

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To the southwest of the Abhayagiri Dagoba this small site has a 19m-long stone batnava (or rice canoe) that would have been filled daily with cooked rice…

3. Abhayagiri Dagoba

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Dating back to the 1st century BC, this colossal dagoba was the ceremonial focus of the 5000-strong Abhayagiri Monastery. Originally over 100m high, it…

4. Eth Pokuna

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Surrounded by forest, this huge body of water is thought to have acted as an ancient water storage tank for the Abhayagiri monastery rather than as a pool…

5. Abhayagiri Museum

0.4 MILES

This museum, south of the Abhayagiri Dagoba, is arguably the most interesting in Anuradhapura and contains a collection of squatting plates, jewellery,…

6. Lankarama Dagoba

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To the south of the Ratnaprasada is this whitewashed 1st-century-BC dagoba.

7. Samadhi Buddha

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8. Kuttam Pokuna

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