Miella (Myella) Kanda Buddhist Ruins in Kotiyagala (මයිල්ල කන්ද ගුහා නටබුන්)

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Out of the many ancient Buddhist sites in the remote Kotiyagala area, Miella Kanda (Myella Kanda) is one of the most known sites due to the ruins of the large recumbent Buddha statue inside a rock shelter and the well-preserved Vedda Cave art in the shelters.

The ruins of this site surround the Miella (Myella) rock which extends over 1.2 km north to south. It’s 78 meters high at the peak. There is an unrecognizable platform at the peak due to being heavily weathered. However, due to its location, this is possibly an ancient stupa. This structure measures 9 meters across and 2 meters high. The remaining part of the platform indicates that it has been rectangular measuring 7 meters east to west.

The land area between Monaragala and Yala’s northern border is filled with remote villages that mainly survive on paddy and Chena cultivations. Most of the land is covered in jungles and rock formations of various sizes and heights rise at various locations. At most of these rock formations, you will find remains of ancient Buddhist monasteries providing a glimpse of the ancient prosperity of this area. Most of the ruins in this area are not even documented by the authorities. However, a research party headed by Takashi Okamura from Hosei University in Japan made 2 research visits in 1985 and 1993 and has documented a significant number of hidden ruins in this area.

On the southern slope of the rock hill, there are six patahas (F,G, H, I, J, and K). A rock shelter (E) is found halfway down the northern slope of the rock hill. About 0.9km southwest apart from the Mailla rock hill, there is a low rock hill that extends over 300 meters from southwest to northeast. There you find a rock cave (A), an uncertain structure (B), and a pataha (C).

This cave is the most popular of all the ruins. A brick and clay-built recumbent Buddha statue and wonderful wall paintings are seen in the rock cave (A). The statue and the wall paintings have been restored by the Archaeological Department. The rock cave has two parts of the entrance. The west side of the entrance measures 14.6m wide and 2.7m high. The brick-built recumbent Buddha statue (11.6m long, l.6 m high) is found in the rock cave. The statue has been plundered by treasure hunters. The roof of the cave is covered with paintings. These paintings suggested by the archeological report is as follows:

The cave roof which must once have been fully covered with paintings has some of the paintings on it still. Above the Buddha head are seen a floral design and a figure drawn inside a circle on a red background. North of this is a square with floral designs and geese in it alternating square and oval shapes. These have a striking resemblance to the paintings at the cobra hood cave at Sigiriya. Among the animals shown are elephants spotting among lotus and olu flowers, swans, serpent, horses, hares, parrots and buffaloes. Among the paintings are female figures similar to the figures at Sigiriya and people worshipping a dagoba of a very early shape. These paintings may belong to a very early date.

The Ministry of Cultural Affairs 1972: 280

At the top of the Miella (Myella) rock lies the possibility of an ancient stupa (D). It measures 9 meters in diameter and 2 meters in height. Part of the stupa platform is visible and possibly rectangular measuring 7 meters from east to west.

Looking for material for a publication on Sinhala Buddhist art, renowned photographer Gamini Jayasinghe and a keen student of archaeology Dharmasena Rassapana accompanied by well-known artist Kusana Manjusri did the trek to the Miella caves found the the place fascinating. They also found a cave with visuals of prehistoric or Veddah rock art. “One was a sketch of a figure riding an elephant. It looked like a primitive form of art done with the finger immersed in clay or ash in white,” author Rassapana explained.

Elephants figure prominently in these cave paintings. “We noticed four distinct features in them. One elephant is engaged in water sports, another is carrying a lotus in its trunk. A third gives the impression it is ready to run. Lastly, the frontal view of a moving elephant is shown. In the middle of an intricate ceiling design, there is also an elephant within a circle with its tail bent.”

Mailla  Ruins site plan in Kotiyagala
Mailla Ruins site plan in Kotiyagala
source : Ruins of the Ancient Ruhuna Civilization – In the Jungles of Kumbukkan Oya Basin SRI LANKA.
photos courtesy of Dr Ashan Geeganage

References

  • Okamura, T., 1999. Ruins of the Ancient Ruhuna Civilization – In the Jungles of Kumbukkan Oya Basin SRI LANKA. Tokyo: Exploration Club of Hosei University.

Also See

Map of Miella (Myella) Kanda Buddhist Ruins in Kotiyagala

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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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Travel Directions to Miella (Myella) Kanda Buddhist Ruins in Kotiyagala

Miella Kanda lies about 6 km south of the Kotiyagala Colany inside the thick jungle. Kotiyagala can be reached by turning off towards Wattegama from the 174th mile post on the Buttala-Pothvil road. Kotiyagala lies about 12 km down this road.

You will need the service of a local guide to take you through the jungle to the Miella Kanda Ruins.

Route from Monaragala to Miella (Myella) Kanda Buddhist Ruins
Through : Ratnapura – Beragala – Wellawaya – Buttala – Monaragala
Distance : 36
Travel time : 1.15 hours
Driving directions : see on google map

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