Padaviya Deiyyanne Kanda Archaeological Ruins

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පදවිය දෙයියන්නේ කන්ද ලෙනක් තුල ඇති උඩුකය පිළිමය — The statue of the god Padaviya is located in a mountain cave.

Padaviya Wewa, one of the largest irrigation reservoirs in Sri Lanka, is attributed to King Saddhatissa (137-119 BCE) or King Mahasen (276-303) and was later renovated by King Parakramabahu I (1153-1186) in the 12th century.

The reservoir extends over approximately 5,666 hectares (14,000 acres), equivalent to 56.6 square kilometers. Its storage capacity is about 104.8 million cubic meters (85,000 acre-feet).

Connected with Padaviya Wewa are three archaeologically significant locations: Deiyyanne Kanda, Ethun Balana Kanda, and Moragoda.

Ethun Balana Kanda lies within the reservoir itself, surrounded by water on three sides. In a later period, a bungalow belonging to the Irrigation Department was constructed at this site. Consequently, no archaeologically significant remains survive there today.

Investigations at Deiyyanne Kanda

Deiyyanne Kanda is situated adjacent to the reservoir bund. Systematic archaeological investigations of this forest-covered rock outcrop have been rare. However, in 1969, L. A. Adithya published a scholarly study based on his research at Deiyyanne Kanda in the journal of the Ceylon Branch of the Royal Asiatic Society.

The bust statue located within a cave at Deiyyanne Kanda was first reported in 1924 by Surveyor N. P. Ranasinghe. His discovery was subsequently marked on the Survey Department’s topographical map under the description “Bust of a King in a Rock Cave.”

In 1966, L. A. Adithya undertook a search for this cave referenced in the survey map. Initially, he discovered only a dilapidated stupa built on a rock slab, possibly corresponding to the stupa mound at Tapowana Viharaya. After several days of exploration within the dense forest, he eventually located the cave in question.

The Cave and the Bust Statue

The cave measures approximately 1.2 meters in width (4 feet), 2.1 meters in height (7 feet), and 4.6 meters in depth (15 feet). The statue is carved at the rear of the cave, facing the entrance. Its orientation is toward the western sector of the reservoir and the Mukunu Oya area.

The carving begins at a height of approximately 1.07 meters (3½ feet) above ground level. The figure was brought forward by cutting a pit-like cavity into the rock surface. The arms are clearly defined, with the left shoulder slightly higher and more prominent than the right. The facial region appears to be in an early stage of execution, and the torso remains only partially completed. The right ear is faintly indicated, while the left ear is not delineated. The evidence suggests that the sculptor discontinued work before completion.

After careful examination to determine whether the figure represented a king, a deity, or the Buddha, L. A. Adithya concluded that it was a statue of the Buddha.

Additional Caves and Inscriptions

During a subsequent visit, L. A. Adithya identified another cave situated in the northwestern sector of Deiyyanne Kanda. This cave measures approximately 13.1 meters in length (43 feet) and 4.3 meters in width (14 feet). It contains two drip ledges measuring 2.7 meters (9 feet) and 3.4 meters (11 feet), respectively, though no inscriptions were found. Numerous fragments of brick and tile were scattered within the cave interior.

To the south of this cave, three additional caves were discovered. The first measures approximately 7.9 meters in length (26 feet) and 5.2 meters in depth (17 feet). It contains two drip ledges measuring 2.4 meters (8 feet) and 1.5 meters (5 feet). Beneath the second drip-ledge is a weathered cave inscription comprising four lines in ancient Sinhala script, datable to the 5th or 6th century CE. The inscription records the emancipation of an individual named Kinejithida from servitude. This record has been catalogued as Archaeology Department inscription No. 2730.

Adjacent to this cave, on its right side, another cave with two drip ledges was identified. The inscription found here was dated to the 3rd–4th century CE by Dr. Senarath Paranavitana. It refers to a land donation made by benefactors to an aranya (forest monastery). This inscription is catalogued as Archaeology Department record No. 2731.

Beyond this cluster of caves, a group of ruined structural remains was encountered, including several large stone pillars that remain upright.

L. A. Adithya further observed that part of the rock slab had been damaged by drilling activities undertaken to obtain raw materials during the reconstruction of the breached bund of Padaviya Wewa.

A map of Padaviya area drawn in 1969 based on colonial maps.

පදවිය දෙයියන්නේ කන්ද උඩුකය පිළිමය ඇති ගුහාව

References

Ādithiya, L. A. (1969). Archaeological Remains at Deiyyanne-kanda, Padaviya. The Journal of the Ceylon Branch of the Royal Asiatic Society of Great Britain & Ireland, New Series, Vol. 13, 64–82. https://www.jstor.org/stable/43483466?seq=1

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