Eraminiyamale Archaeological Ruins in Serunuwara

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සේරුනුවර සිරිමංගලපුර එරමිණියමලේ පුරාවිද්‍යා ණටබුන් - Eraminiyamale Archaeological Ruins in Sirimangalapura, Serunuwara — Eraminiyamale Archaeological Ruins in Sirimangalapura, Serunuwara
චායාරූපය : පුරාවිද්‍යා වාර්තාවකින්

Eraminiyamale Archaeological Ruins in Sirimangalapura, Serunuwara, is located within the section of the Somawathiya forest reserve belonging to the 217/G Sirimangalapura Grama Niladhari Division in the Seruwawila Divisional Secretariat. The rock named Eraniyamale is particularly significant as an important Buddhist monastery, comprising a stupa, an image house, and cave dwellings, and also as a very important archaeological site.

From the town of Serunuwara, on the Kanthale road, before reaching the Kallar junction, you can find a road on the left leading to the Mavil Aru Reservoir. If you travel along the Mavil Aru dam towards its southern end, you will encounter another dam that is currently being constructed. You must travel to the very end of this one too. Access to the site should be undertaken with someone familiar with the location, following paths used by elephants. This is a very important sacred site that has been used by Buddhist monks since the early Anuradhapura period.

Although the site is currently a forest area and a habitat for wild animals, there is no doubt that in the distant past, it was a significant and revered sacred place for Buddhist devotees. In addition to destruction caused by natural disasters over a long period, it has also recently fallen victim to treasure hunters. Brahmi script cave inscriptions and rock inscriptions, along with the ruins of a stupa built on the summit of the rock, give this place immense archaeological value. Thirteen rock inscriptions have been identified at this site.

This rock, comprising several clusters of closely situated boulders divided into a few sections, is rich in natural beauty. The structure built on the highest point of the rock might be the stupa. Soil and brick layers belonging to the stupa are well-preserved and identifiable on the western and northwestern sides. The central area of the stupa on the rock has also been deeply damaged. The bricks removed from this destruction have fallen down the eastern, western, and northwestern slopes of the rock and to its base. These bricks are not very damaged. Around the areas of the rock with brick remains, grooves have been cut to create shallow strips, strengthening the brick retention.

A systematically constructed stairway has been built on the northern slope to access the summit from the base of the rock. Clearly visible are rows of sockets where handrails were affixed on both sides of the stairway. Near this stairway, in the central area of the rock slope, two drains for water drainage and two rock inscriptions can also be identified.

At the base of the stairway, extending as a flat rock surface in the northwest direction, several rock inscriptions with lengthy descriptions have been carved in Brahmi script. A small stairway, leading towards the main stairway entrance, has also been built on the rock surface containing the rock inscriptions. On the eastern slope of the rock, a sheltered spot can be identified where a Buddha statue (reclining) was installed. Around this area, scattered bricks and soil are present. It can be presumed that a brick-constructed Buddha statue was created at this location.

On the western side of the rock, there are two caves with drip-ledges and rock inscriptions written in Brahmi script. Based on the presence of sockets on the roof of one cave and on the rocky outcrop in front, it is clear that a cover was constructed in front of the cave roof. Old bricks are scattered on the cave floor, indicating that this site was maintained as a cave dwelling. Several socket locations can also be identified on the southeastern side of the rock. It appears that further building remains might exist within the jungle surrounding this site. Currently, this site has been recognized as an archaeological monument.

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Map of Eraminiyamale Archaeological Ruins in Sirimangalapura

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Travel Direction to Eraminiyamale Archaeological Ruins in Sirimangalapura

From Trincomalee to Kantale Serunuwara Sirimangalapura Eraminiyamale Archaeological Site

Via: Kinniya – Muttur – Seruvila
Distance: 75 km
Travel Time: About 1.30 hours + 1-2 hours to walk into the forest
Time to Spend: About 1-2 hours
Driving directions: See on Google Maps

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Map of Eraminiyamale Archaeological Ruins in Sirimangalapura

Travel Direction to Eraminiyamale Archaeological Ruins in Sirimangalapura

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