Heritage

Palm Leaf Fan Carved Rock in Vakare (වාකරේ වටාපත් කැටයම් සහිත පර්වතය)

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Located in Vakarai, this late Anurādhapura-period site features a unique carving of a traditional palm leaf fan (Vāṭapatha) on a rocky outcrop’s northeast side. No other clear structures exist, though various loose stones lie at the rock’s base.

The site known as the Palm Leaf Fan Carved Rock is located in the village of Ōmeḍiyāmadu, within the Grāma Niladhāri Division of Punanai East No. 211-B, in the Divisional Secretariat Division of Kōrale Pattu North (Vakarai).

Access Route

Travelling from Welikanda town along the A11 Batticaloa road, proceed approximately 10 kilometers (6.2 miles) to the Riḍiyātenna road. After entering Ōmeḍiyāmadu Village, continue for about 150 meters (492 feet) along the Palliya road. The carving can be seen on a small rocky outcrop situated on the right-hand side of the road.

Historical Background

Although there is insufficient evidence to assign the site to a definite historical period, the carving appears to belong to the late Anurādhapura period.

Location of the Site and Nature of Archaeological Evidence

A carving depicting a palm leaf fan (vāṭapatha) is found on the northeastern side of the rock. No additional archaeological evidence has been identified in the vicinity of this rocky outcrop.

At the base of the rock lies a collection of stones of varying sizes. However, it remains uncertain whether these stones originally belonged to a structure associated with the site.

Geographical Coordinates

The exact location of the site is as follows:

North Latitude: 8°01’13.4″ N
East Longitude: 81°20’03.1″ 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 Palm Leaf Fan Carved Rock in Vakare

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Traveling Directions to Palm Leaf Fan Carved Rock in Vakare

Route from Polonnaruwa to Palm Leaf Fan Carved Rock in Vakare

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

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Palm Leaf Fan Carved Rock in Vakare (වාකරේ වටාපත් කැටයම් සහිත පර්වතය)
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