Karakpattiyadi Forest Buddhist Monastic R

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Karakpattiyadi Forest Buddhist Monastic Ruins

The early Anurādhapura-period monastic ruins in the Karakpaṭṭiyadi forested area of Vakarai features a pillaged stupa with a 3-meter-deep excavation pit and a 4-meter stone pillar. The site includes a northern brick structure enclosed by a stone-chip wall, a circular southern foundation, a Siri Pathula stone slab, and subterranean brick walls.

Buddhist monastic ruins in the jungle of Karakpaṭṭiyadi (Maddupaṭṭiyadi Kāḍu) are located in the village of Ōmaḍiyāmadu, within the Grāma Niladhāri Division of Punanai East 211-B, in the Divisional Secretariat Division of Kōrale Pattu North (Vakarai).

Access Route

Traveling from Welikanda town along the Batticaloa A11 road, turn onto the Ridiṭhenna road. Continue for another 10 kilometres (6.2 miles) to reach the village of Ōmaḍiyāmadu. From there, proceed along the Āṇḍan Kulam road for approximately 3 kilometers (1.9 miles), followed by a further 700 meters (2,300 feet) along the Ōmaḍiyāmadu paddy field road to reach the Karakpaṭṭiyadi Jungle, where the ruins are situated.

Historical Background

The main stupa and several associated buildings belonging to this sacred religious complex appear to have been constructed during the early Anurādhapura period. The original character of the site can still be understood from the structural remains visible on the surface. Furthermore, the internal structural features and architectural characteristics revealed through destructive activities confirm construction techniques associated with the Anurādhapura era.

Location of the Site and Nature of Archaeological Evidence

According to present local usage, the area containing the monument is known as the Karakpaṭṭiyadi Jungle. The structures at the site have been constructed upon flat rocky surfaces found within the forest. The base of the stupa that once stood here has been severely disturbed due to the destruction of its central section.

Soil and bricks have been excavated to a depth of approximately 3 meters (9.8 feet) into the structure. Several layers of bricks of the stupa can still be clearly identified on the western side. Near the stupa stands a large stone pillar measuring approximately 4 meters (13 feet) in length.

Evidence of another ancient construction has been identified on a separate rocky plain situated north of the stupa. Portions of foundations constructed using stone slabs and bricks remain visible at this location. The structure appears to have been enclosed by a rectangular wall built using stone chips. Scattered throughout the surrounding area are a Śrī Pāthala stone (sacred footprint stone), stone pillars, fragments of stone slabs, and bricks.

Approximately 50 meters (164 feet) south of the stupa is another structure situated on an elevated rocky plain. The center of this construction has been destroyed by treasure hunters. The foundation of the structure is circular in shape, and both large and small stones have been carefully arranged in its construction. The interior area has been filled with bricks and stone slabs. In the surrounding area, scattered fragments of bricks and finely finished stone slabs can still be identified.

On the rocky plain south of the stupa is a shallow conical depression. Approximately 20 meters (65.6 feet) west of the stupa is another location that has undergone excavations by treasure hunters. Although no visible structures remain on the surface at this point, these excavations have revealed the remains of a brick construction beneath the ground. There is no indication that stone pillars or stone slabs were used in this particular structure. Layers of bricks exposed within pits approximately 2 meters (6.6 feet) deep suggest that these remains once formed part of a wall structure.

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.

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