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Padaviya Moragoda Archaeological Site

54 years ago1 year ago07 mins

Ruins of the ancient aramic complex this complex of Padaviya Deiyanne Kanda Archaeological Site

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Padaviya was a very fertile land even before thousand five hundred years. The development of this area is strongly linked to Padaviya Wewa reservoir which is one of the largest man man made reservoirs in Sri Lanka. Padaviya Wewa reservoir was known as “Padivapi” in earlier times. At that time, this reservoir was located in Padirata area of Uttarapassa (northern region). A 10th century inscription found near Moragoda ruins shows that the area around this lake was called Padinnarukuliya.

According to Pujawaliya, Padaviya Wewa reservoir was built by King Saddhatissa between 137-119 BC. According to Henry Parker, this lake was built in the latter half of the third century. That means King Mahasen who reigned between 276-303 AD. One reason is the argument that the irrigation technology in Sri Lanka was not advanced enough to build such a large reservoir in before the time of Christ. Brohier also leans towards this hypothesis. But Dr. Paranavithana believes that this reservoir is the Danavapi reservoir built by King Moggallana II (535-555) in the 6th century Chulawansa. Unfortunately, no specific inscriptions about the beginning of this lake have been found in this area. The plaques near the lake and ruins mention that these were made during the reign of King Mahasen.

During the reign of Parakramabahu II (1236-1270), Padirata was ruled by a Tamil invader. During this period, a kovil has been built among the Buddhist buildings in Moragoda. The ruins of this Shiva temple and Shiva Linga can be seen even today. Vijayabahu II (1270-1272), who reigned after Parakramabahu II, regained control of Padirata.

Mr. Paranavithana has said that the Moragoda area was called Padinaru according to a pillar inscription established by King Kasyapa in the 10th century found among the ruins of Moragoda. This town is translated from Pali as Pacheena Nagara which means Eastern City.

The parts of the ramparts that have emerged in places among these ruins show that this was a walled city at one time or another. Perhaps this was a camp town like the original Anuradhapura, Vijithapura or the original Polonnaruwa. An inscription written in Sanskrit on a guard stone found outside the walls mentions a military commander named Dandanayaka or Lokanatha. Therefore, Moragoda of the past may have been a military camp town with a significance. Brohier says in his reports that the building of Moragoda appears to have been destroyed by fire. He says that the destruction of this city may have been done by the hands of Raja Raja who came from the Chola kingdom and marked the end of Anuradhapura kingdom.

Many ruins of this place have been preserved today. A rather large stupa, preserved tablet inscriptions and a Shiva temple stand out among these. Damaged Buddha statues, watchtowers and parts of buildings carved out of various stones can be seen everywhere. In addition to this, stone pillars standing everywhere testify for the ancient buildings all over this city.

Seven {7) ancient ells have been identified in this area. They were completely filled with soil and have now been preserved. Brohier says that these wells may have been made for the needs of the people of that area before the construction of Padaviya reservoir.

A map of Padaviya area drawn in 1969 based on colonial maps.
source : Archaeological Remains at Deiyyanne-kanda, Padaviya by
L. A. Ādithiya (1969)

Some preserved stone inscriptions were in a shed put up by Archaeology department at the ancient aramic complex this complex of Padaviya Deiyanne Kanda Archaeological Site

2nd ancient well built with bricks out of the 7 wells found at the ruins of the ancient aramic complex this complex of Padaviya Deiyanne Kanda Archaeological Site

1st ancient well built with bricks out of the 7 wells found at the ruins of the ancient aramic complex this complex of Padaviya Deiyanne Kanda Archaeological Site

A sward sharpening stone or a heavily used medicine stone at the ancient aramic complex this complex of Padaviya Deiyanne Kanda Archaeological Site

A siva lingum from the kovil which has been built at he ancient aramic complex this complex of Padaviya Deiyanne Kanda Archaeological Site

Buddhist Viharaya vandalized by treasure hunters at archaeological site at Parakramapura - Padaviya

A standing Buddha statue damaged and broken at archaeological site at Parakramapura - Padaviya

lager Hindu Kovil further in the jungle at archaeological site at Parakramapura - Padaviya

Rampart or wall covering the ground at archaeological site at Parakramapura - Padaviya

Some preserved stone inscriptions were in a shed put up by Archeology department at archaeological site at Parakramapura - Padaviya

One of the wells in the site near the rampart wall at archaeological site at Parakramapura - Padaviya

References

Ādithiya , L.A. (1969) “Archaeological Remains at Deiyyanne-kanda, Padaviya,” The Journal of the Ceylon Branch of the Royal Asiatic Society of Great Britain & Ireland The Journal of the Ceylon Branch of the Royal Asiatic Society of Great Britain & Ireland, 13 (New Series).
Storey, H. (2000) A Ceylon Sportsman’s Diary: An Account of the author’s shooting experiences from 1909 to 1920 inclusive (1920). Reprint. New Delhi: Asian Educational Services.

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Map of Padaviya Moragoda Archaeological Site

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Traveling Directions to Padaviya Moragoda Archaeological Site

Anuradhapura to Padaviya Moragoda Archaeological Ruins

Through : Horowpatana
Total Distance : 100 Kms
Duration : 2 Hours
Time To Spend : Between 1-2 Hours
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References

Also See

Map of Padaviya Moragoda Archaeological Site

Traveling Directions to Padaviya Moragoda Archaeological Site

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