Heritage

Nahamcholai Buddhist Archaeological Ruins in Kiran (නාහම්චෝලෛ අසළ බෞද්ධ නටබුන්)

Situated on the Nahamcholai Mountain Range, this Early Anuradhapura-period Buddhist monastery comprises two stupa mounds, six heavily looted building platforms built with rough stones, a carved pillar fragment, and two ponds (one natural, one stone-dammed) southeast of the Miyankulam Reservoir.

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The ruins near the Nahamcholai Mountain Range are located in Miyankulam village, within the Kadubimmalai (209-D) Grama Niladhari Division of the Koralai Pattu South (Kiran) Divisional Secretariat Division.

Access Route

To reach the site from Kiran Junction, travel through Pulipanchakal and continue along Aralaganwila Road, passing the Miyankulam Military Monument. After approximately 2 km, pass the Milk Collection Center and turn left onto Periyamiyankulam Road. Continue for approximately 4 km, cross near the spillway of the Periyamiyankulam Reservoir, and proceed for a further 1 km into the forest to reach the ruins.

Historical Background

The site is a Buddhist monastic complex comprising two stupas and an associated group of buildings. Based on the architectural characteristics and archaeological remains, the complex can be identified as a Buddhist monastery that existed during the Early Anuradhapura period.

Site Location and Nature of Archaeological Evidence

The Nahamcholai Mountain Range is situated to the southeast of the Miyankulam Reservoir. At the southeastern end of the range are the ruins of a monument complex comprising two stupa sites and six additional building sites. All of the structures were constructed primarily using rough and irregularly shaped stones, while bricks were used sparingly and only in the construction of one of the stupas.

The buildings were erected on platforms, or malaka, formed directly on the underlying bedrock. Apart from the two stupa mounds, the other structures have been extensively damaged by treasure hunters, leaving them in a condition that makes their original functions and forms difficult to determine. Among the surviving remains is a fragment of a stone pillar decorated with simple carvings.

On the eastern slope of the rock is a natural pond, together with another water-retention feature created by damming the area with small stone blocks.

Geographical Coordinates (See the Google Map Below)

The exact location of the site is as follows:

Latitude: 7° 47′ 38.2″ N
Longitude: 81° 22′ 03.6″ E

References

Exploration and Documentation Division (Ed.). (2017). පුරාවිද්යා ස්ථාන හඳුනා ගැනීමේ ගවේෂණ වාර්තාව, මඩකලපුව දිස්ත්රික්කය. Department of Archaeology, Sri Lanka, p. 368-369

Also See

Map of the Nahamcholai Buddhist Archaeological Ruins in Kiran

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

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Traveling to Nahamcholai Buddhist Archaeological Ruins in Kiran

Route from Batticaloa to Nahamcholai Buddhist Archaeological Ruins in Kiran

Through: Chenkaladi – Kiran
Distance: 54 km
Travel time: 1.40 hours
Driving directions: see on Google Maps

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Nahamcholai Buddhist Archaeological Ruins in Kiran (නාහම්චෝලෛ අසළ බෞද්ධ නටබුන්)
Situated on the Nahamcholai Mountain Range, this Early Anuradhapura-period Buddhist monastery comprises two stupa mounds, six heavily looted building platforms built with rough stones, a carved pillar fragment, and two ponds (one natural, one stone-dammed) southeast of the Miyankulam Reservoir. […]
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