The Aralaganwila Silumini Saya

This is situated at Aralaganwila village of Pimburatteva 11 km on the Maduruoya Road from the junction 1 km from the Bogashandiya on the Polonnaruva-Mahiyanagana Road. This is an archaeological reserve, and the Stupa that has collapsed has been renovated recently. Mr L.K. Karunaratna has prepared a line drawing of the Stupa in its ruined state. Accordingly, parts of the Stupa and the umbrella on the top of the Stupa can be identified. As the Stupa belongs to the Abhayagiri School, the monastery could be identified as belonging to the Dhammaruci sect. After the renovation, the Stupa and Chitya umbrella are missing, but parts of them are seen around the Stupa. Evidently, it had four umbrellas. There is a large stone seat and a stone altar divided into four sections. There are also stone slabs with the sacred footprint around the Stupa.

The Stupa is on a raised terrace. The main gateway is in the south, and by it, there is a trough of water for washing feet. There are three other gateways. Down below is a terrace with 20 stone pillars, which suggests that there had been a tampita vihara on the pillars. There is evidence that there have been four tall stone pillars to the south of the Stupa. One of them has fallen down, and another missing. These must be the ruins of a building. There is a small tank near the site. Aggabodhi VII built the main monastery with the Stupa at Aralaganwila.

(Heritage of Rajarata by Chandra Wikramagamage P:257)

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Silumina Seya at Aralaganwila

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