Palayadiodei Buddhist Monastic Ruins (2)

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Palayadiodei Buddhist Monastic Ruins (2) in Vakare

The Palayadiodei-2 ruins in Vakarai are an Anuradhapura-era monastery featuring a looted hilltop stupa, a stone-floored building linked by an ancient path, stone pillars, and a rock pool. Quartz flakes also indicate prehistoric tool-making at the site.

The monument identified as Palayadiodei Buddhist Monastic Ruins – 2 is located in the village of Palayadiodei, within the Grāma Niladhāri Division of Kirmichai 211 F, in the Divisional Secretariat Division of Kōralai Pattu North (Vakarai).

Access Route

Travelling along the Vakarai to Batticaloa A15 road, a turn must be taken at the 47th-kilometer post towards the interior via the road leading to the Vakarai Piḷḷaiyār Kōvil. After passing the Kirmichai School and a small bridge, the route continues for approximately 1 kilometer (0.6 miles) along the Palayadiodei Reservoir jungle road. The site is situated within a forested area, approximately 300 meters (984 feet) southeast of the edge of the Palayadiodei Reservoir embankment.

Historical Context

Based on the exposed archaeological remains and artifacts uncovered through excavations carried out by treasure hunters, the site has been identified as belonging to the Anurādhapura period.

Topographical Setting and Regional Context

The ruins are located on a large exposed rocky outcrop within dense jungle terrain. At one end of the site, there are the deteriorated remains of a stupa constructed on a square terrace with retaining walls. This stupa has been heavily disturbed by treasure hunters, resulting in extensive digging and the dispersal of internal materials to the surrounding area. As a result, stone slabs, bricks, stone pillars, stone lids, and fragments of clay vessels are found scattered around the stupa.

Associated Structural Remains

Evidence of another structure has been identified in proximity to the stupa. This includes a large stone pillar foundation along with several stone steps. Based on the ruins, the exact function of this structure remains unclear; however, it may have been either a hall-like building or part of a protective enclosure wall. The construction appears to have incorporated both stone slabs and bricks.

Further remains of a separate building have been identified approximately 100 meters (330 feet) east of the stupa. This structure consists of brick walls and a stone floor. A walking path connecting the stupa to this building can still be traced among the ruins. Additionally, about 15 meters (50 feet) east of the stupa terrace, at the base of the rock, a series of large square stone pillars belonging to another structure have been recorded.

Water Management and Environmental Features

A natural rock pool has formed approximately 100 meters (328 feet) east of the site, which is likely to have served as a water source for ascetics who inhabited the area. Two locations on the rock also contain conical depressions. Archaeological evidence further indicates the presence of additional structures to the east, including buildings constructed entirely using stone slabs.

Prehistoric Evidence

In the surrounding area, there is also evidence of prehistoric human activity. Stone tool production appears to have taken place here, as quartz flakes from tool-making processes are scattered across the rock surface, indicating early human occupation and lithic manufacturing activity.

Geographical Coordinates

The exact location of the site is as follows:

North Latitude: 8° 00′ 05.4″ N
East Longitude: 81° 26′ 11.8″ 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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