Na Uyana Aranya

Ancient cave dwellings with Brāhmī inscriptions, as well as ruins of a small Stupa complex, have been found at Nā Uyana which date back to 3rd century BCE.

As Uttiya was the successor to King Devanampiya Tissa, during whose reign Buddhism was introduced to Sri Lanka, the ancient monastery at Nā Uyana seems to have been one of the first in the country established outside Anuradhapura.

[1] Most Venerable Angulgamuwe Ariyananda Mahāthēra moved to Nā Uyana in 1997 with a group of monks and started a revival that has made it the largest monastery in the Yogasrama Samstha.

Most Venerable Nauyane Ariyadhamma Mahāthēra, the Spiritual Director of Śrī Kalyāṇī Yogāśrama Saṃsthā, also used to reside at Nā Uyana.

Most Venerable Bhaddanta Āciṇṇa Mahāthēra, the current Pa-Auk sayadaw, undertook a long-term personal retreat at Nā Uyana Āranya in 2007, staying in seclusion and suspending his teaching schedule throughout the year.

The white coloured stupa of Na Uyana Aranya is in the foreground. Tall Ceylon ironwood trees, which has given the monastery its name, can be seen in the background.
Stupa of Nā Uyana Āranya, surrounded by Ceylon ironwood trees
A long shot of the Dummiya mountains range, home to Na Uyana Aranya.
The Dummiya mountain range, home to Nā Uyana Āranya. On the right side is the Pansiyagama section, on the center the 'Mountain' and on the left the Matale section.
The first floor of the Mountain meditation hall, with a white marble Buddha statue in front. The floor and walls are white coloured.
The first floor of the meditation hall in the 'Middle-Mountain Section'