Menikdena Archaeological Reserve and Arboretum

It's the year end vacation and everybody is busy travelling. So today I thought of writing about an interesting place to visit near Dambulla. Even though it's not far away from popular tourist destinations most people are not aware about Menikdena. The name Menikdena is associated with a legend which says that the ashes of the arahath maliyadeva thero was buried in a casket decorated with gems. The ancient name for this place is Buddagama and the king " Kithsirimewan" built the mountain monastery according to legends. It also served as a military base for King Vijayabahu I and king Parakramabahu I.

Menikdena is pretty isolated from other destinations and there was nobody when we went there. We used google maps for navigation and because of the rain, the road was bumpy. However we learned that on our way back, there is an easier way to get there. When travelling through Dambulla A9 road you will come across Pannanpitiya Junction. Travel along Ethabendiwewa road for few kms to reach the destination. That route is much better than the route we took.

Menikdena archeological site is one of the few monastic sites where the remains of Bodhigara, Stupa,Uposathagara, Pathimagara, can be identified easily.

Entrance

Stone inscription

We can find a stone inscription near the entrance stating that " the wife of Sen of Koboyatela paid five Kalandas of gold and made an outright purchase of five Palas of paddy land named Mahadenavulu of the Buthgamu Vihara and donated the same for ticket meals of the Buthgamu Vihara. It also mentions that this gift would last till the sun and the moon endure." I also noticed that the moonstones in this archaeological reserve are undecorated.

Undecorated Moonstone

Bodhigara is circular shaped which is something not seen very often. Therefore people misunderstood this as a Watadage at first.

Stupa in the monastery complex is somewhat big and one of the old Buddha statues also can be found here.

Uposathagaraya

Huge stone pillars are what's remaining of the Uposathagaraya now. Pillars are huge in size (biggest ones I've seen in Sri Lanka) and it indicates that the building had many stories.

Image house

There is the menikdena mountain near this site and once you climb the mountain you will be able to witness the camping sites of the army of king Vijayabahu and king Parakramabahu. Menikdena is a place worth visiting if you are planning to pass by Dambulla on your way... Safe journey for travelers and have a nice vacation !!!

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