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Archaeological Ruins at Mariamman Kovil in Muruthtthanai (මුරුත්තනෙයි මාරිඅම්මාන් කෝවිල් භූමියේ පුරාවිද්‍යා නටබුන්)

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The Anurādhapura-period ruins at Mariamman Kovil in Muruthtthanai (Kiran) are situated 50 meters east of a Maduru Oya tributary. The site features the remains of a small building, including four broken, 30-centimeter-tall stone pillars currently intertwined within the roots of a tamarind tree.

Archaeological Ruins at Mariamman Kovil in Muruthtthanai are located in the village of Muruthtthanai, within the Grāma Niladhāri Division of Muruthtthanai 209-A, in the Divisional Secretariat Division of Kōrale Pattu South (Kiran).

Access Route

From Kiran Junction, travel along the Thureiyadi Road. At Pulipanchakal Junction, turn right and continue through the Napaththawil Wewa reservoir area until reaching the indigenous village of Muruthtthanai. Traveling a further 10 kilometers, you will come across the Mariamman Kovil on the left side of the road.

Historical Background

Based on the characteristics of the stone pillar remains associated with a small building at the site, the structure is believed to date to the Anuradhapura period.

Location and Nature of Archaeological Remains

The ruins are located near the Mariamman Kovil, approximately 50 meters (164 feet) east of a tributary of the Maduru Oya. The archaeological significance of the site is evident from the various structural remains found in the area.

Among the visible remains are approximately four stone pillars, each about 30 centimeters (1 foot) in height. The upper portions of these pillars have been broken, and they now lie intertwined among the roots of a tamarind tree.

Approximately 100 meters north of the building complex lies a rocky outcrop that exhibits clear evidence of ancient quarrying activity, indicating that it may have served as a rock quarry associated with the site.

Geographical Coordinates

The exact location of the site is as follows:

North Latitude: 7°52’24.0″N
East Longitude: 81°26’52.1″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 Archaeological Ruins at Mariamman Kovil in Muruthtthanai

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Traveling to the Archaeological Ruins at Mariamman Kovil in Muruthtthanai

Route from Batticaloa to Archaeological Ruins at Mariamman Kovil in Muruthtthanai

Through: Kiran – Muruthtthanai
Distance: 50 km
Travel time: 1.30 hour
Driving directions : see on Google Maps

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Archaeological Ruins at Mariamman Kovil in Muruthtthanai (මුරුත්තනෙයි මාරිඅම්මාන් කෝවිල් භූමියේ පුරාවිද්‍යා නටබුන්)
The Anurādhapura-period ruins at Mariamman Kovil in Muruthtthanai (Kiran) are situated 50 meters east of a Maduru Oya tributary. The site features the remains of a small building, including four broken, 30-centimeter-tall stone pillars currently intertwined within the roots of a tamarind tree. […]
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