Padhanaghara

The meaning of the word Padhanaghara is given in Pali as the house of meditation.

[2] Constructed following a special architectural tradition, they are usually located at a distance from the main monasteries and human settlements.

Padhanagharas became popular and developed into large-scale complexes during the latter part of Anuradhapura period.

[3] All Padhanaghara buildings, found in Sri Lanka have followed a typical plan, consisting of two raised platforms (Pasada and Malaka)[4] built on a rock outcrop surrounded by a shallow artificial stream or a moat.

The two platforms made out of well-dressed blocks of stones are linked to each other by a narrow but large monolithic stone bridge spanning across the stream in-between.