Heritage

Aliyaodai Pillar Ruins in Kiran (අලියාඔඩෛ ශිලා ස්ථම්භය)

Situated in a forest valley between Dorapera and Aliyaodai hills, this site consists of a single 1.5-meter-high stone pillar measuring 27×27 cm. Featuring a topknot-style (kudumbi) top with no other surrounding surface ruins, its historical purpose remains unknown, pending sub-surface investigation.

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The stone pillar known as the Aliyaodai Stone Pillar is situated within the Kudumbimalai (209-D) Grama Niladhari Division of the Koralai Pattu South (Kiran) Divisional Secretariat Division.

Access Route

To reach the site from Kiran Junction, travel through Pulipanchakal along Sinnamiyankulam Road, which branches off to the left near the Miyankulam army Camp. Continue past Sinnamiyankulam Aru and then turn left onto the forest path. Proceed approximately 4 km into the jungle, where the archaeological remains can be found in the forest on the right.

Historical Background

The available archaeological evidence is insufficient to establish a definitive identification or determine the original function of the site.

Site Location and Nature of Archaeological Evidence

The site consists of a single stone pillar situated within the forest in the valley between the Dorapera and Aliyaodai hills. No other identifiable archaeological remains have been observed at the location. The pillar measures approximately 27 × 27 cm and stands about 1.5 m high.

The upper portion of the pillar features decorative elements resembling a topknot, or kudumbi, design. It is possible that additional archaeological evidence associated with the pillar remains buried beneath the ground, and further investigation may therefore provide information about its original context and function.

Geographical Coordinates (See the Google Map Below)

The exact location of the site is as follows:

Latitude: 7° 46′ 40.2″ N
Longitude: 81° 22′ 26.0″ E

References

Exploration and Documentation Division (Ed.). (2017). පුරාවිද්යා ස්ථාන හඳුනා ගැනීමේ ගවේෂණ වාර්තාව, මඩකලපුව දිස්ත්රික්කය. Department of Archaeology, Sri Lanka, p. 371

Also See

Map of the Aliyaodai Pillar Ruins in Kiran

Click on the button below to load the Dynamic Google Map

Show Location on Google Maps

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

Zoom out the map to see more surrounding locations using the mouse scroll wheel or map controls.

Traveling to Aliyaodai Pillar Ruins in Kiran

Route from Batticaloa to Aliyaodai Pillar Ruins in Kiran

Through: Chenkaladi – Kiran
Distance: 54 km
Travel time: 1.30 hours
Driving directions: see on Google Maps

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Aliyaodai Pillar Ruins in Kiran (අලියාඔඩෛ ශිලා ස්ථම්භය)
Situated in a forest valley between Dorapera and Aliyaodai hills, this site consists of a single 1.5-meter-high stone pillar measuring 27×27 cm. Featuring a topknot-style (kudumbi) top with no other surrounding surface ruins, its historical purpose remains unknown, pending sub-surface investigation. […]
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