In the Indian Ocean, off the southeastern coast of India, is the exotic island of Sri Lanka. Previously, this island was called Ceylon and was part of the British colony. Sri Lanka receives a huge number of tourists every year. The sights of the island are striking in their beauty and diversity. One of these wonderful places is Mount Abhayagiri, covered with centuries-old mysteries. Archaeologists have managed to restore most of this amazing place.
Translated Abhayagiri sounds like "Mountain of Fearlessness." At its top is an ancient monastery - vihara. This monastery was built by King Valagambakhu in the 1st century BC. e. for monks. Here they found their refuge, driven from their homes because of the worship of the Mahayana (the direction of Buddhism). Their teachings recognized the existence of gods and spread far beyond the monastery, attracting followers all over the world. A magnificent complex was erected on the mountain, including a large number of buildings. Unfortunately, not all of them have survived to our times. But archaeologists managed to establish that the main building housed a library, rooms for teachers and classrooms for classes. On the territory of the complex there were cells in which the monks undergoing training lived. There was also a great assembly hall called Sannipatasala. It was a roofless room with four exits. The complex also had its own refectory, hospital and even a cemetery.
It is striking that a whole water supply system was installed in the monastery. Hot and cold water was supplied to the buildings, toilets were built. Water was supplied from the Et Pokuna pool, located on the territory of the complex. There were also twin pools (Kuttam Pokuna), which purified the water using a kind of filters. Stone stairs led to the pools, along which the monks descended into the water for ablution. The granite walls of Kuttam Pokun were adorned with images of a five-headed cobra. This animal was considered sacred. The twin pools are recognized as an engineering marvel. All structures were striking in the richness of decoration and fine skillful work of the masters of that time. The roofs are made of bronze and decorated with tiles. The cells were two-story tiled buildings and their roofs were ceramic. But the most beautiful building was the dagoba. According to legend, it was built on the spot where the footprint of the Buddha remained. Decorated with gold, silver and the famous moonstone. Huge stone walls towered around, which surrounded countless reservoirs. The building was one of the seven holy places of Anuradhapura. The height of the dagoba was 115 meters. Until now, only a part of it has survived. A special attraction of the monastery is the statue of Buddha. A deity is depicted during meditation. The statue is made of granite. In general, there are 3 statues of Samadhi Buddha on the territory of the complex. Until now, only a part of it has survived. A special attraction of the monastery is the statue of Buddha. A deity is depicted during meditation. The statue is made of granite. In general, there are 3 statues of Samadhi Buddha on the territory of the complex. Until now, only a part of it has survived. A special attraction of the monastery is the statue of Buddha. A deity is depicted during meditation. The statue is made of granite. In general, there are 3 statues of Samadhi Buddha on the territory of the complex.
Another unique building located on the territory of the complex is the Lankarama Stupa. It, like the dagoba, was built on the typo of the Buddha's foot. The roof of the building was supported by 88 columns arranged in three rows around the Stupa. It was built by King Valagamba. The golden age of Abhayagiri is considered the reign of King Mahasena. At this time, the monastery numbered about 5 thousand novices. It even housed the tooth of the Buddha, which was believed to endow the ruler with supernatural powers. Now all the Buddhists of the world make a pilgrimage to these places, which are sacred for them. The mystery of history is that once all the monks who lived here disappeared and to this day no traces of them have been found. There is a legend that the monks were able to turn their bodies into light and moved to Shambhala (a mythical country in Tibet),continued to live in the lands of the "Great King of the World". But no one was able to confirm or deny this legend.