To the northwest from the Abhayagiri you will find the Mahasena’s Palace where the finest moonstone is located. Most of the travelers wish to travel the Mahasena’s palace considering that the finest carved moonstone in Sri Lanka can be seen here. Further, it is the best-preserved moonstone in Sri Lanka. Tourists love to rest in this peaceful environment during the tour among the ruins. The moonstone is carved on a granite. The Palace of Mahasena was built of wood with some equal use of stone. By the way, stone pillars can be seen in the area proving the incident. A beautifully carved guard stone (Mura gala) can be seen at the entrance to the Palace. Instructors say that this building called Mahasena’s palace, might to be a library of King mahasena.
The moonstone takes place at the bottom of the steps appeared with a half circle shape. The moonstone is carved by dividing into several rings. The outer ring symbolizes the flames of fire supposing that someone has to get purified to enter the building. The second ring is about four animals deputizing the four stages of the life circle. Elephant – birth, Lion –illness, Horse – old age and bull – death are carved. The next inner ring shows the greediness or the desire through a sneak. The final fourth ring shows a goose carrying Lotus buds portraying the purity while the lotus buds are representing the Nirvana. Therefore it is evident that soon as you enter the palace abducts most prominent landmarks of the sacred city of Anuradhapura.
King Mahasena (275 A.D-301 A.D) ruled the Anuradhapura Kingdom and built 16 tanks including great Minneriya tank to full fill the irrigation needs of Anuradhapura pleasantries. Another great construction of King Mahasena is Jetavana Stupa. The monstry complex was built in the 3rd century by King Mahasena. Even today he is called as the Minneriya deviyo (God of minneriya) due to the service is done for the Anuradhapura kingdom. Being a king, King Mahasena was mistakenly ill treated, the Theravada Buddhism in sri lanka. In fact, he destroyed the Mahavihara which was recognized as the main Theravada temple and used those materials to construct the Lovamahapaya and Jetavanaramaya. Thereby the Mahavihariyan Bhikkus had to move Ruhuna. Regarding the persuasion of King Meghavannabhaya, King Mahasen promised not to harass and ill treat Maha Vihara bhikkus and rebulit and donate the Maha Vihara.