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Polonnaruwa Alahana Pirivena monastic hospital: stone medicine trough (Beheth Oruwa) and Ayurveda?

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Marco Stone Trough•895 rep

What human-shaped monolithic stone troughs (Beheth Oruwa) excavated at the 12th-century Alahana Pirivena hospital were used for oil immersion treatments?

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The Alahana Pirivena monastic hospital complex in Polonnaruwa, established by King Parakramabahu I in the 12th century, is one of the oldest excavated hospital ruins in Asia. Archaeological excavations uncovered surgical instruments, medicinal drug grinding stones, and the iconic "Beheth Oruwa" (Medicine Trough)—a monolithic stone block carved precisely into the anatomical shape of a human body. Monastic physicians laid ailing monks inside this stone trough to immerse them in warm, medicated herbal oils (Taila Droni therapy), minimizing the amount of expensive medicinal oil required.

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Dr Senarath CCF•1920 rep

The stone trough features a small drainage hole at the foot end, allowing spent herbal oils to be drained into collection vessels.

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Marco Stone Trough•895 rep

The hospital layout included separate surgical wards, pharmacy rooms, hot-water bathhouses, and sanitation latrines connected to brick drainage sewers.

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Minoli Heritage•1850 rep

Located within the expansive Alahana Pirivena archaeological precinct north of the Royal Palace, the stone medicine trough is a key visitor highlight.

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Sarah Field Scout•1720 rep

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