Padhanagara

Anuradhapura


Beyond the main Abhayagiri site are the scattered ruins of the western monasteries, set up by ascetic monks. With a bike you can track down some of these little-visited ruins, including this former meditation centre and its wonderfully carved squat toilet.


Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

Nearby Anuradhapura attractions

1. Lankarama Dagoba

1.28 MILES

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

2. Basawak Kulama

1.28 MILES

The oldest tank in Anuradhapura, probably dating from around the 4th century BC, is the 120-hectare Basawak Kulama (the Tamil word for tank is kulam).

3. Eth Pokuna

1.29 MILES

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…

4. Moonstone

1.48 MILES

Sitting northwest of the Abhayagiri Dagoba, this ruined 9th-century residential complex for monks is notable for having the finest carved moonstone in Sri…

5. Mirisavatiya Dagoba

1.51 MILES

This huge dagoba was the first built by King Dutugemunu after he recaptured the city in the 2nd century BC. The story goes that Dutugemunu went to bathe…

6. Ratnaprasada

1.51 MILES

Most of the 8th-century Ratnaprasada or 'Jewel Palace' lies in ruins today, though it was originally seven storeys high with a graceful, tiered roof. The…

7. Abhayagiri Museum

1.53 MILES

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

8. Alms Hall

1.57 MILES

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…

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