Ancient Alms Halls in Sri Lanka Danasala or Bojanasala or Bhattasala (Sinhala: දාන ශාලාව, භෝජන ශාලාව) (lit: Alms Hall/ Refectory) is a type of Buddhist structure in Sri Lanka built for the usage of Buddhist monks lived in the large-scale monastic complexes. It was the place where the daily alms were provided for the
monks. Danasalas were mostly built in the form of a rectangular structure (The National Atlas of Sri Lanka, 2007) . It consists of a single-storeyed pillared building with a sunken central courtyard, three or more entrances, stone rice troughs and kitchen appurtenances, a drainage system leading the water out of the courtyard and in some examples, an attached scullery ( Bandaranayake, 1990 ). The stone rice trough placed in a corner of the building can be identified as the most notable feature of Danasalas . Ruins of ancient Danasalas have been identified in the major monasteries in Sri Lanka, including the Maha Viharaya , Mirisaweti Viharaya , Abhayagiri Viharaya , Jetavanarama Viharaya , Mihintale , Thuparama …
