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Mundumurippu Archaeological Ruins in Mullaitivu (මුලතිවු මුන්ඩුමුරිප්පු පුරාවිද්‍යා නටබුන්)

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The archaeological ruins at Mundumurippu were reported in 1919 by De Glanville. These ruins are located approximately 1½ km along the Mundumurippu-Thunukkai road, about 100 meters to the west. (The GPS location marked below is based on this information).

The ruins at Mundumurippu include a dilapidated stupa and a pond, referred to by the local inhabitants as Kalaimnraipoknnai. The small stupa was constructed from bricks, and just to the west of the stupa lies the pond. The pond is a roughly circular hollow, approximately 100 feet in circumference, with some brickwork on its side near the stupa ruins.

South of the stupa, the ruins of a building measuring 35 feet by 22 feet can be found. The roof of this structure was once supported by 14 monolithic square stone pillars, each standing about 8 feet high. At the time the report was written, five of these pillars were still standing. The thickness of the pillars varies between 1’3″ and 1’9″.

During the expedition, two stone pillar bases were discovered—one large base within the pond and another smaller one near the debris of the stupa. These pillar bases were distinct from the commonly found bases throughout the country. Unlike the usual designs, these bases featured a carefully dressed raised circular portion on top of the square socket cavity, suggesting that they once supported cylindrical pillars. The square cavities measured 6½ inches and 4½ inches, while the diameters of the circular portions were 18 inches and 14 inches, respectively.

Among the debris of the stupa, a large rectangular stone slab was discovered, measuring 8 feet in length, 3 feet 4 inches in width, and about 1 foot in thickness. Based on the analysis of the bricks used in the stupa, De Glanville dated these ruins to the pre-Christian era.

However, there are no records of these ruins being explored thereafter, so it is unclear whether the ruins still exist or have been destroyed.

Note : the GPS location marked on the map below is approximate based on the given directions above.

References

De Glanville, B. G. (1919). Ceylon Antiquities – Extracts From Diaries of Government Agents. The Ceylon Antiquary and Literary Register, IV (part III), 174–176.

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Map of Mundumurippu Archaeological Ruins in Mullaitivu

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Travel Directions to Mundumurippu Archaeological Ruins in Mullaitivu

From Vavuniya to Mundumurippu Archaeological Ruins in Mullaitivu

Distance : 39 km
Travel time : 1.00 hour + trek
Driving directions : see on Google map

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References

Also See

Map of Mundumurippu Archaeological Ruins in Mullaitivu

Travel Directions to Mundumurippu Archaeological Ruins in Mullaitivu

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