Heritage

Palayadiodei Buddhist Monastic Ruins (1) in Vakare (පාලයඩිඕඩෙයි බෞද්ධ ආරාමික නටබුන් – 1)

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Located in Vakarai, the Palayadiodei site is an Anuradhapura-era Buddhist monastery set on a high rocky hill. Overlooking two reservoirs, it features a southeastern cave with a 10-meter-high drip ledge hidden by dense jungle, alongside circular brick layers on the summit that form the foundation of an ancient stupa.

Palayadiodei Archaeological Site 1 is situated 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 from Vakarai towards Batticaloa along the A15 road, a right turn must be taken near the 47th kilometer post onto the Piḷḷaiyār Kōvil road. Continuing along this route up to the Kirmichai school, another turn leads towards the Palayadiodei Reservoir road. After traveling approximately 1.5 kilometers (0.93 miles) along this narrow branch road, the rocky outcrop containing the ruins can be found within the jungle on the right-hand side.

Location and Nature of Archaeological Evidence

The caves with drip ledges and the associated archaeological remains found on the rock display characteristics similar to the Buddhist monastic architectural characteristics of the Anurādhapura period.

A cave with drip ledges and the ruins of ancient buildings have been discovered on a high rocky mountain situated within a forested area, approximately 500 meters (1,640 feet) along the forest path. From the western side of this rocky mountain, the Kirmichai Reservoir can be seen in the distance, while the Palayadiodei Reservoir is visible towards the southeast.

The cave is located on the southeastern slope of the rocky mountain. It contains drip ledges designed to divert rainwater away from the cave in the direction of the Palayadiodei Reservoir. The height from ground level to the drip ledge is approximately 10 meters (32.8 feet). Obtaining photographs of the cave is difficult because the front area is heavily covered by forest vegetation.

The Stupa

The summit of the mountain contains ruins associated with ancient constructions. Several layers of bricks arranged in a circular formation remain attached to the natural rock surface. These remains most likely represent the foundation of an ancient stupa.

Geographical Coordinates

The exact location of the site is as follows:

North Latitude: 8°00’13.9″N
East Longitude: 81°25’38.6″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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Map of the Palayadiodei Buddhist Monastic Ruins (1) in Vakare

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Traveling Directions to Palayadiodei Buddhist Monastic Ruins (1) in Vakare

Route from Trincomalee to Palayadiodei Buddhist Monastic Ruins (1) in Vakare

Through: Mutur – Senunuwara – Vakare
Distance: 93 km
Travel time: 2.20 hours
Driving directions : see on Google Maps

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