Heritage

Nagamalai Buddhist Monastic Ruins (නාගමලෙයි වනය තුළ බෞද්ධ ආරාමික නටබුන්)

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The Nagamalai Archaeological Site, located in Madurankulama within the Madurankenikulama 211-B Grama Niladhari Division of Korale Pattu North (Vakare) Divisional Secretariet, preserves the remains of an ancient Buddhist religious complex dating to the early Anuradhapura Period. The site lies within a forested area beyond cultivated paddy lands.

Access Route

From Welikanda town, travel along the Batticaloa (A11) road until reaching the Ridithenna junction. From there, continue approximately 10 km (6.2 miles) along the Ominiyamadu road. Proceed further along the ZE irrigation canal road until reaching the by-road leading to Madurankulama on the right-hand side. Continue for approximately 1.1 km (0.68 miles), and then travel about 750 m (0.47 miles) across the paddy fields on the right. The archaeological site is situated within the forest area at the end of these fields.

Historical Background

Based on the scattered construction materials of the stupa and the internal structural features visible within pits excavated by treasure hunters, the monument has been identified as belonging to the early Anuradhapura Period.

Location and Nature of Archaeological Evidence

The ruins are situated in an area locally known as Nagamalai. Apart from the remains of the stupa and structures associated with it, no evidence of additional buildings has been identified at the site.

The stupa has been extensively damaged through unauthorized excavations, with treasure hunters having dug approximately 5 m (16.4 feet) downward from the summit. Due to this destruction, much of the primary structure of the stupa has been lost. Stone pillars and slabs scattered around the stupa appear to have belonged to structures associated with the stupa complex.

Approximately 25 to 30 rows of bricks remain visible within the surviving portions of the structure. Fallen stone slabs and fragments of pillars can also be observed within the excavation pit. The unauthorized excavations extend toward the southern side of the monument, suggesting the possible existence of an entrance in that direction.

Large numbers of stone pillars are scattered around the southern and northern areas surrounding the stupa. These pillars vary in length, measuring approximately 2 m (6.56 feet), 2.5 m (8.2 feet), and 3 m (9.84 feet). The evidence suggests that these pillars once supported a structure associated with the stupa, possibly a stupa house (stupaghara).

The stone pillars, slabs, and other construction components used in these structures appear to have been quarried from the rock plateau situated to the south of the site. Evidence of stone-cutting activity, including boring marks and broken stone fragments, can still be observed on this rock surface.

Geographical Coordinates

The exact location of the site is as follows:

North Latitude: 8°01′21.3″ N
East Longitude: 81°21′20.9″ E

References

Exploration and Documentation Division (Ed.). (2017). පුරාවිද්යා ස්ථාන හඳුනා ගැනීමේ ගවේෂණ වාර්තාව, මඩකලපුව දිස්ත්රික්කය. Department of Archaeology, Sri Lanka.

Also See

Traveling Directions to Nagamalai Buddhist Monastic Ruins

Route from Polonnaruwa to Nagamalai Buddhist Monastic Ruins

Through: Manampitiya – Welikanda
Distance: 52 km
Travel time: 1.20 hours
Driving directions : see on Google Maps

Map of the Nagamalai Buddhist Monastic Ruins

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