Padigala Buddhist Ruins in Kayankerni

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Padigala (Padiettanamalei) Buddhist Monastic Ruins

The Anurādhapura-period Paḍigala Monastic Ruins in Vakarai feature a ruined brick stupa atop a rock plateau, reached by an ornamental 69-step stone staircase. The complex includes large building foundations, primitive moonstones, and pottery, though treasure hunter activity has severely damaged the site.

The site known as the Paḍigala (Paḍiyettanāmalai) Buddhist Monastic Ruins is located in the village of Punanai, within the Grāma Niladhāri Division of Punanai East 211-B, in the Divisional Secretariat Division of Kōrale Pattu North (Vakarai).

Access Route

Traveling from Welikanda town towards Batticaloa along the A11 road, continue past the 114th kilometer post at the Nāvaladi junction. From there, turn left onto the school road and proceed approximately 2 kilometers (1.2 miles) into the forest to reach the site.

Historical Dating

The architectural features of the main stupa and the associated buildings on this rocky mountain, together with the characteristics of the ruins, indicate that the site belongs to the early Anurādhapura period.

Location of the Site and Nature of Archaeological Evidence

The archaeological complex is built centered around a rock plateau situated within a teak plantation belonging to the Department of Forest Conservation. The site extends northward from the main road.

Ruins belonging to the early Anurādhapura period can be clearly identified throughout the area. The name Paḍigala, meaning “Rock of Steps,” appears to have originated from the finely carved staircase from the base of the rock up to its summit.

The complex consisted of a group of buildings constructed on the lower terrain towards the north, together with a stupa erected on the rock plateau above. On the northern side of the plateau is a staircase consisting of 69 steps extending across the slope towards the summit. The upper end of this staircase is cut into the natural rock, which connects directly to the northern terrace of the stupa. The entrance steps have been constructed using stone slabs.

The moonstones and associated architectural elements have been displaced from their original positions, while the center of the stupa has been destroyed by treasure hunters. What only remains is a circular mound of soil and bricks covered in weeds. The stupa itself had been constructed using bricks together with irregular stone fragments, and these archaeological remains are now scattered throughout the site.

Structural Remains

On the flat plateau to the northeast of the rock are the ruins of comparatively large square buildings. Foundations constructed from stone slabs can still be found on the floor level. Bricks, fragments of stone pillars, and roof tile pieces are scattered throughout the area. Two plain moonstones can also be seen partially buried in the ground.

The site also contains a staircase constructed using stone slabs. Approximately 75 stone slabs measuring around 30, 40, 50, and 60 centimeters have been used in its construction.

Evidence of another building with stone pillars has also been identified on the lower terrace of the site. A considerable number of roughly hewn large stone pillars appear to have been used in this structure. Although the prepared foundations can still be recognized, much of the original surface context has been destroyed by treasure hunters.

Geographical Coordinates

The exact location of the site is as follows:

North Latitude: 7°58’36.8″ N
East Longitude: 81°23’06.5″ E

References

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

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