Heritage

Ruins of Ancient Na Maluwa Buddhist Monastery in Lahugala (ලාහුගල නා මළුව ආරාම පුරාවිද්‍යා භූමිය)

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The most well-known Buddhist temple in Lahugala is the ancient Magul Maha Viharaya where the wedding ceremony of King Kawantissa and Princess Vihara Maha Devi is believed to have taken place in the 3rd century BCE. However this area had been a thriving Buddhist community thousands of years ago and ruins of ancient temple complexes are scattered all over the jungles, mostly still undiscovered or unexplored.

Na Maluwa (Namaluwa) archaeological site is one such location which has been hidden in time. The location lies close to Mahakalugolla on the banks of Heda Oya. To reach Na Maluwa, you need to travel 4.5 km from Siyambalanduwa towards Lahugala and turn right. You need to travel 5 km down this road passing chenas and paddy fields to reach this rocky outcrop close to the Heda Oya.

The most important archaeological monument of at this site is the considerably large stupa partially cleared of debris some time ago. Close to this stupa lies a rocky outcrop with several drip ledge caves. A lone monk lives in one of the caves meditating and protecting this forgotten heritage.

The site is scattered with a large number of rock and drip ledge inscriptions. At the top, remains of a washed out stupa can be found. Another interesting artefact is a Kotta Gala, a bed including a pillow carved on a rock.

A cave with a drip ledge on the Na Maluwa archaeological reserve in Lahugala

One of the many rock inscriptions at the Na Maluwa archaeological reserve in LahugalaOne of the many rock inscriptions at the Na Maluwa archaeological reserve in Lahugala

Scattered ruins on the Na Maluwa archaeological reserve in Lahugala

Remnants of a painting on one of the caves at the Na Maluwa archaeological reserve in Lahugala

One of the many rock inscriptions at the Na Maluwa archaeological reserve in Lahugala

A rare "Kotta Peduru Enda", stone bed with a pillow used by monks thousand years ago at Lahugala Na Maluwa archaeology site

Steps cut on the rock surface at Lahugala Na Maluwa archaeology site

A stone flower alter at the Lahugala Na Maluwa archaeology site

At the Na Maluwa archaeological reserve in Lahugala

One of the many drip ledge inscriptions at the Na Maluwa archaeological reserve in Lahugala

A wall made of rocks at the Na Maluwa archaeological reserve in Lahugala

Na Maluwa archaeological reserve in Lahugala

"Gal Enda", stone beds used by monks thousand years ago at Lahugala Na Maluwa archaeology site

A flower alter at the rock surface at Lahugala Na Maluwa archaeology site

Steps and moonstones cut on the rock surface at Lahugala Na Maluwa archaeology site

Part of a Chatra Gala at the Na Maluwa Stupa in Lahugala

Also See

Map of Ruins of Ancient Na Maluwa Buddhist Monastery

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Traveling Directions to Ruins of Ancient Na Maluwa Buddhist Monastery

Route from Siyambalanduwa to Ruins of Ancient Na Maluwa Buddhist Monastery

Through : Lahugala road
Time to spend – 1-2 hours
Distance : 9.5 km
Travel time : 20 mins
Driving directions : see on Google map

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Also See

Map of Ruins of Ancient Na Maluwa Buddhist Monastery

Traveling Directions to Ruins of Ancient Na Maluwa Buddhist Monastery

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