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Kallichchai Buddhist Monastic Ruins (කල්ලිච්චෛ බෞද්ධ ආරාමික නටබුන්)

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The Anurādhapura-period Kallichchai Monastic Ruins in Kiran feature a forest stupa breached by treasure hunters, exposing its inner chamber. Nearby artifacts include scattered stone pillars, a fragmented octagonal Yūpa Stambhaya (central pillar) resting under a tamarind tree, and a circular Chatra Gala (umbrella stone) near a roadside mosque.

Kallichchai Buddhist Monastic Ruins are located in the village of Kallichchai, within the Grāma Niladhāri Division of Kallichchai 210 A, in the Divisional Secretariat Division of Kōralai Pattu South (Kiran).

Access Route

Travelling approximately 2 kilometers (1.24 miles) from Welikanda town towards Riḍiyātenna, turn right near the 100th kilometer post onto the Kallichchai road. Proceeding towards Vaḍamuna village, the route reaches Kallichchai village. Continuing for about 2 kilometers (1.24 miles) along the Kallichchai Reservoir road that passes through the village, the stupa and associated ruins can be found on the right-hand side of the road.

Historical Background

The ancient stupa at this location, together with the other archaeological remains scattered throughout the site, could be dated to the Anurādhapura period.

Location and Nature of Archaeological Evidence

The stupa is situated inside the forest, approximately 50 meters (164 feet) to the right of the Kallichchai Reservoir road. The center of the stupa has been completely destroyed by treasure hunters, exposing the inner chamber.

At a location slightly away from the main pathway are several stone pillars and fragments of broken pillars. Ancient bricks are also scattered across the site, and the evidence clearly indicates extensive destruction caused by treasure hunting activities.

Approximately 5 meters (16.4 feet) from the main road is another archaeological location where a Yūpa Stambhaya—the central pillar associated with ancient stupas—together with several stone pillars, has been placed beneath a tamarind tree. The Yūpa Stambhaya is octagonal in shape and has broken into several pieces. This pillar may originally have belonged to the ruined stupa at the site.

Proceeding a short distance further along the road, a circular stone slab (chatra gala) can be seen near a mosque adjoining the roadside. Most probably, this chatra gala also originally belonged to the same stupa.

Geographical Coordinates

The exact location of the site is as follows:

North Latitude: 8°03’37.9″N
East Longitude: 81°19’53.8″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 Karakpattiyadi Jungle Buddhist Monastic Ruins

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Traveling Directions to Karakpattiyadi Jungle Buddhist Monastic Ruins

Route from Polonnaruwa to Karakpattiyadi Jungle Buddhist Monastic Ruins

Through: Manampitiya – Welikanda
Distance: 52 km
Travel time: 1.20 hours
Driving directions : see on Google Maps

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Kallichchai Buddhist Monastic Ruins (කල්ලිච්චෛ බෞද්ධ ආරාමික නටබුන්)
The Anurādhapura-period Kallichchai Monastic Ruins in Kiran feature a forest stupa breached by treasure hunters, exposing its inner chamber. Nearby artifacts include scattered stone pillars, a fragmented octagonal Yūpa Stambhaya (central pillar), and a circular Chatra Gala (umbrella stone). […]
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