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Omadiyamadu Forest Buddhist Monastic Ruins (ඕමඩියාමඩු වනයේ බෞද්ධ ආරාමික නටබුන්)

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Omadiyamadu Forest Buddhist Monastic Ruins

The Anurādhapura-period stupa ruins in the Ōmeḍiyāmadu Forest, Vakarai, sit atop an elevated rock formation. Treasure hunters have severely damaged the small, dilapidated stupa by digging a 2.5-meter-deep pit into its dome. Excavated bricks and stone debris lie scattered nearby, alongside a natural rock pond located north.

The Rock with Stupa Ruins in the Ōmeḍiyāmadu Forest is located in the village of Ōmeḍiyāmadu, within the Grāma Niladhāri Division of Punanai East No. 211-B, in the Kōrale Pattu North (Vakarai) Divisional Secretariat.

Access Route

Travel along the Welikanda–Batticaloa A11 road and turn left onto the Ridiṭhenna road. Continue for approximately 10 kilometers (6.2 miles) to reach Ōmeḍiyāmadu village. From the village, proceed towards the forest along the road leading to the paddy fields. The rock containing the stupa ruins is situated on the left side within the forested area.

Historical Background

The structure has been identified as belonging to the early Anurādhapura period. Despite the destruction that has occurred at the site, the architectural characteristics and construction materials remain clearly visible and are consistent with this historical era.

Location and Nature of Archaeological Evidence

The site is situated on a moderately elevated rock formation within the jungle. At the highest point of the rock are the remains of a small, dilapidated stupa. Treasure hunters have dug a pit approximately 2.5 meters (8.2 feet) deep from the top of the dome in search of valuables believed to have been deposited within the relic chamber.

Debris resulting from these excavations, including broken stone artifacts, bricks, and displaced earth, has been scattered around the stupa. Approximately 35 meters (115 feet) north of the site, a natural rock pond can also be identified. This pond appears to have functioned as a natural water collection point for the priests of the ancient monastery.

To the east of the pond, on a slightly elevated place, there is a half-finished Siripatula (Buddha footprint stone) or a similar artifact. It has been carved using a large, long stone slab.

Geographical Coordinates

The exact location of the site is as follows:

North Latitude: 8°00’43.7″N
East Longitude: 81°19’49.5″E

References

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

Also See

Map of the Omadiyamadu Forest Buddhist Monastic Ruins

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Traveling Directions to Omadiyamadu Forest Buddhist Monastic Ruins

Route from Polonnaruwa to Omadiyamadu Forest Buddhist Monastic Ruins

Through: Manampitiya – Welikanda
Distance: 53 km
Travel time: 1.15 hours
Driving directions : see on Google Maps

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