Maha Vihara Alms-Hall Maha Vihara Alms-Hall or Refectory of Maha Vihara >(Sinhala: මහා විහාර දාන ශාලාව) is a ruined building located in the ancient city of Anuradhapura, Sri Lanka. It is situated to the east of Ruwanweliseya Stupa and to the north of Lovamahapaya .
This building is considered to be the " Chatussala ", the alms hall of Maha Viharaya . It was constructed in the 3rd century B.C. by King Devanampiya Tissa (247-207 B.C.). In the 2nd century A.D., this hall was renovated by King Vasabha (67-111 A.D.) following the architecture of the Mihintale Alms-Hall .
The building is square in shape and the length of one side is about 39.3 m (Wikramagamage, 2004). As found in the other refectories in Anuradhapura, the inner portion (inner courtyard) of this building has been paved with stone slabs (Wikramagamage, 2004). A lengthy stone rice trough known as Bat-Oruwa (about 45 ft long) is found on the eastern side of the building. Which is believed to be used to cater to about 3000 monks who lived at…
