Arankele

            The fascinating sixth centure Buddhist fores hermitage of Arankele, where the saintly hermit monk Maliyadeva and other hermits and sages lived in solitude and neditation is anther of Wayamba’s memorable experiences. Arankele is in two parts – impressive ancient hermitage consists of moats, waterways and stone walls, a complete ancient hospital with stone herbal bath, herb-grinder, sick rooms, meditation and preaching halls, a large and beautifully designed bath, a handsome circular shrine and a faultless drainage and sanitary system and the ancient Sakman maluwa, the remarkable ‘meditation walk’ paved with dressed stone, shaded by hoary forest trees. And though the walls of ashlar, splendid though unornamented, have fallen and only pillars, platforms, pavements and terraces remain, the path to peace and serenity still runs straight and true at Arankele. Above, on the huge Dolukande rock and ancient herb forest still thrives; its quiet sylvan glades have made the ancient hermitage into a beautiful natural bird sanctuary. West of the ancient complex, a hermit community of about twenty five monks live in solitude and deep meditation in bare cell and caves in the forest. Devotees visit the monastery daily to bring offerings of food, drink and other necessities to the monks, listen to discourses and meditate; a visit will give an interesting insight to Buddhist contemplative life. Arankele is an easily accessible 25 km, from the provincial capital, Kurunegala