Padaviya Moragoda Archaeological Site

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

Located near Padaviya Wewa, Moragoda was an ancient fortified military and administrative city known as Padinaru. The site features a large stupa, ancient wells, guardstones, and a 13th-century Shiva temple built during Tamil invasions, before Chola forces eventually destroyed the settlement.

[Google Ad 01 -EN]

Padaviya was a highly fertile region even 1,500 years ago, and its development has been closely associated with Padaviya Wewa, one of the largest man-made reservoirs in Sri Lanka. In ancient times, the reservoir was known as Padivapi and was situated in Padirata, a region of Uttarapassa (the northern region). A 10th-century inscription discovered near the ruins of Moragoda indicates that the area surrounding the reservoir was known as Padinnarukuliya.

According to the Pujawaliya, Padaviya Wewa was constructed by King Saddhatissa, who reigned from 137 to 119 BCE. However, Henry Parker proposed that the reservoir was built during the latter half of the third century CE, attributing its construction to King Mahasen (276–303 CE). One argument supporting this later date is that Sri Lanka’s irrigation technology may not have been sufficiently advanced before the Common Era to construct a reservoir of such considerable scale. R. L. Brohier also favoured this hypothesis.

Dr. S. Paranavitana, however, suggested that Padaviya Wewa may have been the Danavapi reservoir mentioned in the Culavamsa as having been constructed by King Moggallana II (535–555 CE). Unfortunately, no definitive inscriptions establishing the original construction date of the reservoir have been discovered in the area. Nevertheless, inscriptions and other records found near the reservoir and its ruins associate the structures with the reign of King Mahasen.

Padirata under Mediaeval Rule

During the reign of King Parakramabahu II (1236–1270), Padirata came under the control of a Tamil invader. During this period, a kovil (Hindu temple) was constructed among the Buddhist buildings at Moragoda. The remains of this Shiva temple, including a Shiva Linga, can still be seen today. King Vijayabahu IV (1270–1272), who succeeded Parakramabahu II, subsequently regained control of Padirata.

Moragoda and Its Ancient Identity

Dr. Paranavitana stated that the Moragoda area was known as Padinaru, based on a 10th-century pillar inscription attributed to King Kasyapa, discovered among the ruins. The name is rendered in Pali as Pacheena Nagara, meaning “Eastern City”.

Sections of ancient ramparts visible among the ruins indicate that the settlement was once a fortified city. It may have served as a military or administrative settlement, comparable in function to early urban centres such as the original Anuradhapura, Vijithapura, or Polonnaruwa. A Sanskrit inscription on a guardstone discovered outside the walls refers to a military commander identified as Dandanayaka Lokanatha. This inscription suggests that Moragoda may once have been an important military settlement.

In his reports, Brohier observed that the buildings at Moragoda appeared to have been destroyed by fire. He suggested that the destruction may have been caused by the forces of Raja Raja, who came from the Chola kingdom, and that this event may have marked the end of the Anuradhapura Kingdom.

Archaeological Remains at Moragoda

Numerous archaeological remains at Moragoda have survived to the present day. Among the most prominent are a relatively large stupa, preserved stone inscriptions, and the remains of a Shiva temple. Damaged Buddha statues, watchtowers, and fragments of buildings constructed from or carved into different types of stone can also be seen throughout the site. Scattered stone pillars provide further evidence of the ancient buildings that once occupied the settlement.

Ancient Wells at Moragoda

Seven ancient wells have been identified in the area. After being completely filled with soil, they have since been conserved. Brohier suggested that these wells may have been constructed to supply the needs of the local population before the Padaviya Wewa reservoir was built.

A map of Padaviya area drawn in 1969 based on colonial maps. — A map of the Padaviya area was 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

[Google Ad 01 -EN]

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.

Also See

Map of Padaviya Moragoda Archaeological Site

Click on the button below to load the Dynamic Google Map

Show Location on Google Maps

The map above also shows other places of interest within approximately 20 km radius of the current site. Click on any of the markers and the info box to take you to information on these sites

Zoom out the map to see more surrounding locations using the mouse scroll wheel or map controls.