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Dimbulagala Dewagala Archaeological Ruins (දේවගල පුරාවිද්‍යා භූමිය)

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Devagala in Polonnaruwa District is a long rocky outcrop stretching North to South for over 1.75 km in length. The rock lies hidden in an overgrown forest patch 6.5 km east of Dimbulagala Rock in Jayapura Grama Niladari Division in Dimbulagala Divisional Secretary’s Division. However, it is accessible by vehicle through gravel roads through paddy fields and chenas.

The information on this site is derived from a 1978 report by The Exploration Club of Hosei University in Japan, which conducted three extensive archaeological explorations in 1973, 1975, and 1976. No other information about this archaeological site is available.

These ruins are scattered across a rocky hill that stretches approximately 800 meters from north to south. The hill is surrounded on all sides by farmland. An irrigation canal and a paved road run along the eastern slope, making the western slopes the most accessible route to approach the rock by a vehicle.

In the southern section, you’ll find the remnants of a dagoba (B), two ponds (A, photo.A), five pedestal holes carved into the rock (C, fig. C, C1-C5, photo. C3-C5), a cluster of round assembled stones (C0), and a small cave (D, photo.D).

There are two ponds, or pathaha, which are nearly circular. The largest pond (A) measures 1.1 meters in length, 90 cm in width, and 1.5 meters in depth. The ruins of a stupa (B) are located 220 meters northwest of A. This stupa is a cone-shaped mound of stones and sand, 6 meters in diameter, with a central hole.

Around a pile of large stones (C0) about 5 meters high, there are five holes of various sizes, as shown in Figure C. These holes come in different shapes, including circular and square, and may have been used to erect Buddha statues or stone pillars.

C1 and C2, located on the west side of C0, are square-shaped with sides of about 20 cm. C3, which is doubly protected, is quite deep, measuring around 32 cm (see photo C3). The round holes, C4 and C5, are on the southeast side of C0. C4 has a diameter of 12 cm and a depth of 10 cm, while C5 has a diameter of 20 cm and a depth of 10 cm (see photos C4 and C5).

In the northern section of the rock hill, you’ll find the remains of another dagoba (J, photo. J, fig. J), which includes step stones and stone plates (fig. J1, fig. J2).

The circular stupa mound has a diameter of 10 meters and sits on a rectangular stone platform measuring 12 by 25 meters (see diagram). The stupa mound itself stands about 3 meters high. At the center of the stupa, treasure hunters have dug a deep pit, revealing the brickwork within. The north side, where stones believed to be steps still remain, is likely the front of the stupa. There are no moonstones, guardian deity statues, or ornate ornaments present.

Additionally, stone structures such as J1 and J2 have been found lying on the slope of the pagoda. J1 is a stepped square stone slab (see fig. J1). J2 is a stone believed to have been used for the steps, featuring carvings designed to fit with other stone structures (see fig. J2).

Additionally, there are five drip-ledged caves filled with brickbats and rubble (E, fig.E; F, fig.F; G, H, photo.H, fig.H), a structure with stone steps and brickbats (I, fig.I), two stone terraces (L, photo.L), a stone pillar (M, photo.M), and a flight of steps (K, photo.K) carved directly into the rock.

References

The Exploration Club of Hosei University. (1978). The Ruins of Ancient Sinhalese Civilization -in the Jungle in Mahaweli Ganga Basin- Srilanka – Part II. Kinki Nippon Tourism and Culture Research Institute.

Also See

Map of Dimbulagala Dewagala Archaeological Ruins

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Travel Directions to Dimbulagala Dewagala Archaeological Ruins

Route from Dehiattakandiya to Dimbulagala Dewagala Archaeological Ruins

Through : Manampitiya
Distance: 30 km
Travel time: 45 mins
Time to spent : 1-2 hours exploring
Driving directions: see on Google map

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References

Also See

Map of Dimbulagala Dewagala Archaeological Ruins

Travel Directions to Dimbulagala Dewagala Archaeological Ruins

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