Heritage

Periya Muruthtthanai Archaeological Site with Padhanaghara (පෙරිය මුරුත්තනෙයි පධානඝරය සහිත පුරාවිද්‍යා භූමිය)

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The Anurādhapura-period monastic complex in Muruthtthanai (Kiran) is situated on rocky outcrops within Kollalakarni Forest. The heavily looted site features a ruined Padhanaghara (meditation house) with stone steps, a drip-ledged natural rock cave, an ancient rock quarry, and a picturesque pond.

Periya Muruthtthanai Archaeological Site with Padhanaghara is located in the village of periya Muruthtthanai, within the Grāma Niladhāri Division of Muruthtthanai 209-A, in the Divisional Secretariat Division of Kōrale Pattu South (Kiran).

Access Route

From Kiran Junction, travel along the Thureiyadi Road. At Pulipanchakal Junction, turn right and continue through the Napaththawil Wewa reservoir area to reach the indigenous village of Muruthtthanai. Proceed for approximately 10 km (6.2 miles) along the Akkuranai byroad. From there, travel about 600 meters along the Palakkadu jungle track, which leads into the forest. Continue on foot for a further 600 meters through the jungle to reach the rocky outcrop where the archaeological ruins are located.

Historical Background

The construction techniques and architectural features of the structures at this site are characteristic of the Anuradhapura period, indicating that the monastic complex was established during that era.

Location and Nature of Archaeological Evidence

The archaeological site is situated among a series of rocky outcrops within Kollalakarni Forest, a protected forest reserve in the indigenous village of Muruthtthanai. The complex consists of the remains of a ruined Padhanaghara, a natural rock cave with a drip ledge, and an ancient rock quarry. Unfortunately, the site has suffered extensive damage due to unauthorized excavations by treasure hunters.

At the foot of the rocky outcrops is a small, picturesque pond connected to a canal. No evidence of structural remains can be observed on the summit of the rocks.

Southwest of the main rock outcrop is a ruined structure that has been heavily disturbed by treasure hunters. The large stone slabs scattered across the area suggest that this may once have been an important building within the monastery.

To the north of the main rock outcrop, archaeological remains are scattered across a broad area extending from the northwest to the northeast.

At the northern end of the rock outcrop is a flight of stone steps leading to an enclosure constructed from large stone slabs, many of which are now scattered around the site. This feature is believed to be the remains of a Padhanaghara belonging to the ancient monastery. Two separate locations within this area have been excavated by treasure hunters.

Further north lies another rocky outcrop containing a natural cave with a drip ledge on its western face. Stone steps, constructed from stone slabs, once provided access to the cave from the southern side. These slabs have since become displaced from their original positions and have fallen toward the adjacent canal.

West of the cave is an ancient rock quarry, from which stone was extracted for the construction of the monastery’s buildings.

Geographical Coordinates

The exact location of the site is as follows:

North Latitude: 7°53’30.3″N
East Longitude: 81°23’51.5″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 Palakkadu Road Archaeological Site in Kiran

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Traveling Directions to Palakkadu Road Archaeological Site in Kiran

Route from Batticaloa to Palakkadu Road Archaeological Site in Kiran

Through: Kiran – Muruthtthanai
Distance: 50 km
Travel time: 1.30 hour
Driving directions : see on Google Maps

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Periya Muruthtthanai Archaeological Site with Padhanaghara (පෙරිය මුරුත්තනෙයි පධානඝරය සහිත පුරාවිද්‍යා භූමිය)
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