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Maha Andarawewa Archaeological Reserve / Andarawewa Walagamba Rajamaha Viharaya – මහ අන්දරවැව පුරාවිද්‍යා රක්ෂිතය / අන්දරවැව වලගම්බා රජමහා විහාරය

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Ruins of the ancient stupa at Maha Andarawewa Archaeological Reserve / Andarawewa Walagamba Rajamaha Viharaya

Maha Andarawewa Archaeological Reserve at the Andarawewa Walagamba Rajamaha Viharaya lies on the Puttalam – Galgamuwa road, close to Nawagattegama. The site is 42km away from Puttalam and 19 km away from Galgamuwa.

The conserved site of Maha Andarawewa Archaeological Reserve resides in an unprotected forested area close to the Andara Wewa reservoir. The site consists of a partially preserved ancient stupa with large trees still on the stupa mound. A large pit has been dug at the top by treasure hunters and any valuable relics enshrined in this stupa by the ancient kings are long lost. Scattered granite pillars in the forest land around the stupa give a glimpse of the grandiose state of this monastic site overlooking the majestic Andara Wewa reservoir thousands of years ago.

This ruined site was reported to the Archaeology Department and a preliminary search was done in 1958. The department reported that the ruins were scattered immediately below the bund of Maha Andarawa pWewa Reservoir in an area of about five acres. It was reported that there were remains of a pillared hall, a mound more or less rectangular in outline with stone pillars, evidence of a Siva devale where a stone lingam was found, a stupa that had been dug into, and brickbats and pieces of pottery. The dimensions of the bricks commonly found among the ruins were 8 ins. x 8 ins. x 2½ ins

To reach the site from Puttalam, take the Anuradhapura road up to Tabbowa Reservoir. From Karuwalagaswewa junction, take the Galgamuwa road and from Nawagaththegama and travel for 6.5 km until you come across the by-road towards Andara Wewa reservoir. The site lies opposite the reservoir at the end of the Bund.

Ruins of Maha Andarawewa Archaeological Reserve / Andarawewa Walagamba Rajamaha Viharaya

Destruction by the treasure hunters of the ancient stupa at Maha Andarawewa Archaeological Reserve / Andarawewa Walagamba Rajamaha Viharaya

Ruins near the Andara Wewa Reservoir at Maha Andarawewa Archaeological Reserve / Andarawewa Walagamba Rajamaha Viharaya

Maha Andarawewa Archaeological Reserve / Andarawewa Walagamba Rajamaha Viharaya

References

Archaeological Survey of Ceylon Annual Report for 1958

Also See

Map of the Maha Andarawewa Archaeological Reserve / Andarawewa Walagamba Rajamaha Viharaya

Please click on the button below to load the Dynamic Google Map (ගූගල් සිතියම් පහලින්)

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The map above also shows other places of interest within a approximately 20 km radius of the current site. Click on any of the markers and the info box to take you to information of these sites

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Driving Directions to Maha Andarawewa Archaeological Reserve / Andarawewa Walagamba Rajamaha Viharaya

Route from Puttalam to Maha Andarawewa Archaeological Reserve / Andarawewa Walagamba Rajamaha Viharaya

Though : Karuwalagaswewa, Nawagaththegama
Distance : 43 km
Travel time : 1 hour
Driving directions : see on Google map

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The inscription of King Mahinda IV belonging to the tenth century is installed on the two sides of the entrance to this Vihara. The relic house is a square building. […]
Dambegoda Pillar Inscription in Maligawila (දඹේගොඩ ටැම් ලිපිය)
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Kotttapitiya Slab Inscription (කෝට්ටපිටිය පුවරු ලිපිය)
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