1. Mahámeghavana
A park to the south of Anurádhapura. Between the park and the city lay Nandana or Jotivana. The park was laid out by Mutasíva, and was so called because at the time the spot was chosen for a garden, a great cloud, gathering at an unusual time, poured forth rain (Mhv.xi.2f). Devánampiyatissa gave the park to Mahinda for the use of the Order (Mhv.xv.8, 24; Dpv.xviii.18; Sp.i.81) and within its boundaries there came into being later the Mahá-Vihára and its surrounding buildings. The fifteenth chapter of the Mahávamsa (Mhv.xv.27ff) gives a list of the chief spots associated with the religion, which came into existence there. Chief among these are the sites of the Bodhi tree, the thirty two málakas, the Catussálá, the Mahá Thúpa, the Thúpáráma, the Lohapásáda, and various parivenas connected with Mahinda: Sunháta, Díghacankamana, Phalagga, Therápassaya, Marugana and Díghasandasenápati. Later, the Abhayagíri vihára and the Jetavanáráma were also erected there.
The Mahámeghavana was visited by Gotama Buddha (Mhv.i.80; Dpv.ii.61, 64), and also by the three Buddhas previous to him. In the time of Kakusandha it was known as Mahátittha, in that of Konagamana as Mahánoma, and in that of Kassapa as Maháságara (Mhv.xv.58, 92, 126).
The Mahámeghavana was also called the Tissáráma, and on the day it was gifted to the Sangha, Mahinda scattered flowers on eight spots contained in it, destined for future buildings, and the earth quaked eight times (Mhv.xv.174). This was on the day of Mahinda's arrival in Anurádhapura. The first building to be erected in the Mahámeghavana was the Kálapásáda parivena (q.v.) for the use of Mahinda. In order to hurry on the work, bricks used in the building were dried with torches (Mhv.xv.203). The boundary of the Mahámeghavana probably coincided with the símá of the Mahávihára, but it was later altered by Kanitthatissa, when he built the Dakkhina vihára. Mhv.xxxvi.12. For a deposition of the various spots of the Mahámeghavana see Mbv.137.
2. Mahámeghavana
A park laid out by Parakammabáhu I. Cv.lxxix. 7, 41.