Heritage

Drip Ledged Cave near Omadiyamadu Reservoir (ඕමඩියාමඩු වැව අසළ කටාරම් සහිත ලෙන)

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Drip Ledged Cave near Omadiyamadu Reservoir

The Rock Cave near the Ōmaḍiyāmadu Reservoir is an Early Anurādhapura-period monastic site. Facing north on a rocky outcrop, the cave features a continuously carved drip ledge around its entrance designed to deflect rainwater from the interior living space.

The Rock with Stupa Ruins in the Sitamalai Rock is located in the village of Ōmeḍiyāmadu, within the Grāma Niladhāri Division of Punanai East No. 211-B, in the Kōrale Pattu North (Vakarai) Divisional Secretariat.

Access Route

Travelling from Welikanda town towards Batticaloa along the A11 highway, turn left onto the Ridiṭhenna road and continue for approximately 10 kilometres (6.2 miles) to reach the village of Ōmeḍiyāmadu. From the village, proceed about 2 kilometers (1.2 miles) along Palliya Pāra (Church Road) towards the Ōmeḍiyāmadu Reservoir. Thereafter, continue along the right side of the paddy field up to the Murugan Kōviladi in order to reach the rock containing the ruins.

Historical Background

Based on the drip-ledges carved into the cave and the nearby ancient Buddhist monastic remains at Sītāmalai Rock, this cave appears to have formed part of the same monastic complex, which has been dated to the early Anurādhapura period.

Location of the Site and Nature of Archaeological Evidence

This cave is situated on a small rocky outcrop on the eastern side of the Ōmaḍiyāmadu Reservoir, approximately 200 meters (650 feet) from the Sītāmalai ruins. The cave opens towards the north, and a drip-ledge has been carved all the way around the entrance to prevent rainwater from flowing into the interior.

Geographical Coordinates

The exact location of the site is as follows:

North Latitude: 8°01’09.5″N
East Longitude: 81°19’29.1″E

References

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

Also See

Map of the Drip Ledged Cave near Omadiyamadu Reservoir

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Traveling Directions to Drip Ledged Cave near Omadiyamadu Reservoir

Route from Polonnaruwa to Drip Ledged Cave near Omadiyamadu Reservoir

Through: Manampitiya – Welikanda
Distance: 51 km
Travel time: 1.15 hours
Driving directions : see on Google Maps

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