Asokaramaya (Pankuliya) Asokaramaya , also referred to as Pankuliya Archaeological Site (Sinhala: පන්කුලිය අසෝකාරාමය), is a ruined Buddhist monastery situated in Anuradhapura District, Sri Lanka. The site is famous for its seated Buddha statue popularly known as Pankuliya Buddha. History According to local tradition, this is probably the Asokaramaya monastery established by Prince Saliya, the son of King Dutugemunu (161-137 B.C.), after his low-caste wife Ashokamala (Sandaruwan et al., 2017). According to Mahavamsa, King Mahasen (276-303 A.D.) built a monastery named Uttara Mehenawara for Buddhist nuns in about 276 A.D. and some identify the present Pankuliya as part of that monastery built by Mahasen (Sandaruwan et al., 2017). A pillar inscription by King Dappula IV (924-935 A.D.), that was discovered from Pankuliya contains details about an immunity grant made in respect of some land assigned to a Buddhist Nunnery named Kalahas-mehenawara founded by a high dignitary named Pirivahanu (Warden) Koda Kasbalna o…
