Kunjankalkulama Buddhist Monastic Ruins

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The Kunjankalkulama Archaeological Site, located in Madurankulama within the Madurankenikulama 211B Grama Niladhari Division of Korale Pattu North (Vakare), preserves the remains of an ancient Buddhist monastic complex dating to the Early Anuradhapura Period. The site and its built environment have suffered extensive destruction and disturbance over time due to its remoteness.

Access Route

When traveling from Navalady Junction toward Welikanda along the A11 Batticaloa Road, the 23rd Gajaba Infantry Camp can be seen on the right-hand side after passing the 113 km (70.2 miles) milestone. From the camp entrance, continue along the main access road for approximately 1 km (0.62 miles), then turn right onto a forest track and proceed for about 0.5 km (0.31 miles) to reach the site. The hill containing the ruins is easily visible from a distance due to its prominent size.

Historical Background

The ruins of a Buddhist monastery are situated within the north-eastern region of the extensive hill presently known as Kunjankalkulama. Despite severe disturbances to the complex, all identified archaeological remains belong to the Early Anuradhapura Period.

Landscape and Site Layout

A large rock plateau extends along the northern side of the Kunjankalkulama hill range, while a low-lying irrigation system has been established to its south. The surrounding landscape consists mainly of forests interspersed with rocky outcrops and plateaus. The hill itself stretches approximately 1.5 km (0.93 miles) in length and about 750 m (0.47 miles) in width. The remains of the ancient monastery are concentrated within the north-eastern section of this hill range.

The northern summit has been used for the construction of the main stupa, while additional buildings were established along the lower eastern slopes of the hill.

The Main Stupa

The ruined stupa survives mainly as a foundation mound measuring approximately 10 m (32.8 feet) in diameter, though it no longer retains a substantial height. Treasure hunters have excavated the summit area, removing internal soil, bricks, and stone slabs, many of which now lie scattered around the mound. Among these remains are molded bricks that once formed part of the original structure.

Caves and Brahmi Inscriptions

Near the slope below the summit stupa are two caves positioned one behind the other.

The eastern cave contains a drip-ledge, known as a katarama, together with a single surviving Brahmi character, while the remaining inscription has been destroyed.

The other cave, situated at the north-western edge of the hill, also features a drip-ledge and an inscription carved on its eastern side. Within this cave, layers of red and pink plaster can still be identified.

On the south-eastern slope of the rock hill is another large cave situated near the edge of the escarpment. This cave contains inscriptions in Brahmi script together with a long drip-ledge extending in a north–south direction, while the cave entrance faces toward the south-east.

Structural Remains

The eastern terrain at the foot of the rock hill has been utilized for the construction of monastic buildings. Two building sites showing signs of destructive activity have been identified in this area. At one location, stone pillars displaced from their original positions can still be seen, along with a flower altar situated in front of the structure. Bricks and stone slabs associated with the construction of these buildings are also scattered throughout the site.

Geographical Coordinates

The exact location of the site is as follows:

North Latitude: 8° 00′ 28.8″ N
East Longitude: 81° 22′ 23.9″ E

References

Exploration and Documentation Division (Ed.). (2017). පුරාවිද්යා ස්ථාන හඳුනා ගැනීමේ ගවේෂණ වාර්තාව, මඩකලපුව දිස්ත්රික්කය. Department of Archaeology, Sri Lanka.

Also See

Traveling Directions to Kunjankalkulama Buddhist Monastic Ruins

Route from Polonnaruwa to Kunjankalkulama Buddhist Monastic Ruins

Through: Manampitiya – Welikanda
Distance: 50 km
Travel time: 1.30 hours
Driving directions : see on Google Maps

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