Hidden Buddhist monastery of Rajarata – Manakanda (මානාකන්ද)

I got to know about Manakanda (381.3m) from an article written in the book called Wanasena wanapeth (වැනසෙන වනපෙත්).Then one of my friends lives in Maradankadawala (මරදන්කඩවල) joined with me for this journey.
I reached Maradankadawala about 11am by Colombo-Anuradhapura bus. (A9 Road).

We took our way in Maradankadawala-Ipalogama (ඉපලෝගම) road until we came across the archeology board on left side of the road.
It indicated 3km from there to Manakanda archeology site. Manakanda road was not that much good but surrounding view was scenic. Manakanada was seen nearby.

Where it is situated – Click Image to Enlarge

Manakanda

Following rain

Common in this area

Finally we came to the Archaeology office of Manakanda, but nobody was there.

.	Climbing up

Manakanda was found as an ancient Buddhist monastery started on 3-2 B.C. It is similar to Ritigala, Arankale and Rajagalathanna. At the moment they have found ruins of 70 buildings at Manakanda archeology site. There are stone inscriptions mentioning some regional leaders have donated few caves to Buddhist priests during Anuradhapura period. Most of these buildings carry features of 9-10 A.C.

The first building we met. It is a “Janthagaraya” (ජන්ථාඝරය) This was used to treat and bath sick Buddhist monks

Entrance of Janthagaraya

“Beheth ambarum gala” බෙහෙත් ඇඹරුම් ගල

Circular flat form rest station -Similar to Ritigala

The road

Scattered ruins

Then we came back and followed the pathway towards the pond.

The pond

Boundary of the pond

Foot pathway getting narrow

Ruins of a Padanagaraya (පධානඝරය) Note the double platform

Footprints of wild Elephants

Ruins of another Padanagara

The foot pathway brought us more into the forest and now it started to ascend through giant trees. This forest is full of Kaluwara, Hal, Milla, Thammenna, Ata Thimbiriya trees. Then we came across cave with drip ledges. We could notice some stone inscriptions below the drip ledge.

A cave with recently built walls

Drip ledge and stone inscriptions below it

Other cave- treasurer hunters have started their work

Another cave

Then foot pathway disappeared. But we want to go to top of the rock. Somehow we climbed further up. Now undergrowth could be noted in the forest.

Thick undergrowth

Can accommodate a human

Ritigala was captured

Eventually came on the top of the mountain but there was no place to watch around. Then we walked further towards right side to find a view point. Finally got on to a nice view point

Ritigala – Giant of Rajarata

Pullankulama mountain

Further extension of Manakanda. Note there is a construction on it. It may be a nicer view point

Countless lakes of Rajarata

May be Galgiriya mountain

.

Nice rock formation

Zoomed view

On our way back we were caught into the rain and it took about 4 hours for the journey.

Thanks for reading