“Aththani Kanu” or “Aththani Pillar Inscriptions” are ancient granite pillars with inscriptions which generally records special grants by the king to temples and other places of worship. Most of the pillar inscriptions (Attani Kanu) has been dated between 8th to 10th centuries based on the characters and content. Therefore it is believed that the Aththani Pillars were made popular in the 8th century where rock and slab inscriptions were more popular at the beginning.
The bottom part of a Aththani Pillar is found at Lahugala in the Paranagovipola area. Traveling on the road to the popular Magul Maha Viharaya, 300 meters past the temple car park, you will come across a 4 way junction in middle of a paddy field. Take the the road to the left and traveling for 350 meters and the tar road takes a sharp turn to right while the road while a gravel road continues straight. Just on this bend on a private land on the right you will see the bottom part of the Aththani Pillar.
This pillar was declared as a protected archaeological site by the Government with the Gazette issued on 10th October 2014, and describes the location as follows;
“ththani inscription located close to the Parana Govipola of Lahugala – Magul Maha Vihara Road belonging to Parana Govipola village located at Pansalgoda Grama Niladari Division in the Divisional Secretary’s Division, Lahugala in Ampara District in Eastern Province. (latitude 06º 86641’N and longitude 081º 73266’E).”
Also See
Map of Lahugala Paranagovipola Aththani Pillar
The map above also shows other places of interest within a approximately 20 km radius of the current site. Click on any of the markers and the info box to take you to information of these sites
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Travel Directions to Lahugala Paranagovipola Aththani Pillar
Route from Siyambalanduwa to Lahugala Paranagovipola Aththani Pillar |
Through : Pottuvil Road Distance : 24 km Travel time : 45 mins Time to spend : 10-15 mins Driving directions : see on google map |