the Ancient Hospital (Vedahala) – Mihintale
Description
Vedahala – the Ancient Hospital at the base of the mountain at Mihintale.
With the growth of the monks and the pious laymen, the inevitable need for a hospital arose. Thus, the primary Hospital at Mihintale was established by King Sena, the second (853-887 AC) at Mihintale. The description was based on a tenth-century inscription found at the site.
Presently, the ruins of a hospital with its layout restored can be seen at the entrance to the site of Mihintale. At the access to the Hospital is the outer Courtyard that consists of four rooms:
Consulting room
Room for preparation
Storage of medicine
Room for hot water baths
At the end of the outside Courtyard, to the north, is the principal building: the quadrangular Courtyard having a little shrine in the middle. The rooms are arranged on a two-high platform on all four sides of the Central Courtyard. The rooms face the shrine, which is within the Courtyard. The space of each room is approximately 100 square feet. The rooms open upon an inner Veranda delivering all cells open.
