අනුරාධපුර මහාවිහාර නටබුන් | Mahavihara Monastic Ruins | Anuradhapura SriLanka | Gamana - The Journey

🌏 🇱🇰 ගමන - Gamana - The Journey
Mahavihara Refectory ( Danashala / Alms Hall / Chathussala )

⛩️ Hidden in the sacred city of Anuradhapura, the Mahavihara Refectory—also known as the Alms Hall or Chatussala—rests quietly north of Lovamahapaya and southeast of the majestic Ruwanweliseya Stupa. Though it lies just off the pilgrim’s path between Ruwanweliseya and the Sri Mahabodhi, this remarkable site is often overlooked, its stone pillars scattered among ruins that few pause to explore.

🏛️ A Forgotten Landmark: Most pilgrims are unaware of its presence, yet the refectory is a treasure worth visiting. Gigantic stone troughs still remain—silent reminders of the meals once served here, filled with rice, vegetables, and porridge.

📜 Echoes of History: The Chinese monk Fa Hsien, who journeyed through Anuradhapura in the 5th century, recorded that more than 10,000 monks and nuns lived in the city. Of these, the Mahavihara housed 3,000 monks, while the Abhayagiri Vihara sheltered 5,000. Imagine the daily rhythm: thousands of monks walking from their kutis to this granite hall, where food was prepared in abundance to nourish the Sangha.

👑 Royal Patronage: The Alms Hall was first built by King Devanampiya Tissa in the 3rd century BCE and later restored by King Vasabha in the 3rd century CE. Its design mirrors the refectory at Mihintale, showing a shared architectural tradition across monastic sites.

🍚 The Rice Boat: At the eastern corner lies the most striking feature—a massive stone trough known as the “rice boat”, stretching 45 feet in length. Two smaller troughs accompany it, likely used for vegetables and porridge.

📐 Architectural Layout: The refectory is a square structure, each side measuring 131 feet. Its central courtyard is paved in stone, with steps leading inward from all four sides, echoing the layouts of other alms halls at Abhayagiri and Mihintale.

🧭 | Location - 🇱🇰 Anuradhapura |

The Mahavihara Danashala (Refectory) is located within the ancient city of Anuradhapura, Sri Lanka. It lies to the east of the great Ruwanweliseya Stupa and just north of the historic Lovamahapaya (Brazen Palace). This ruined alms hall, also known as the Chatussala, was part of the sacred Mahavihara monastery complex.

📹 | Video Contributors |

• 📋Script Writer & Voice - Nimal S. Liyanage.
• 🤝 Collaborator -Janaki Sarojani.
• 🖥️ Video Editor - Saneth A. Liyanage.

🪘🎷 | Music Credits |

Intro Music Credits : "fm-freemusic-new" – Free Music via Chosic. Com

Main Music Credits :
"Zen Meditation (Buddhist)" – VelvetKeys (Pixabay)

Outro (End) Music Credits :
• "Sad Piano Background" – Pixabay Free Music
• "Departure Cinematic Trailer Intro Music" – SoulProdMusic (pixabay)
• "Boom Geomorphism Cinematic Trailer Sound Effects" – Submority (pixabay)
• "Sad Dramatic Piano (Sad Alone Drama)" – LudoSoundX (pixabay)

#️⃣ | Hashtags |

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