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Periyaveram Buddhist Archaeological Ruins in Kiran (කිරාන් පෙරියවේරම් බෞද්ධ පුරාවිද්‍යා නටබුන්)

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Periyaveram Buddhist Archaeological Ruins in Kiran

The early Anurādhapura-period Periyaveram (Mahā Vēhera) ruins in Kiran, Batticaloa represent a major monastic complex. The looted site features a disturbed stupa mound and three ruined buildings containing buried guardstones, four remaining pillars, and scattered uprooted fragments near ancient foundations.

Periyaveram Buddhist Archaeological Ruins is located within the Grāma Niladhāri Division of Pulakadu 209 C, in the Divisional Secretariat Division of Kōrale Pattu South (Kiran) of Batticaloa District.

Access Route

From Kiran Junction, travel along Thureiyadi Road. At Pulipanjakal Junction, turn right and cross the bridge over the Maduru Oya. Continue towards Pondukalchenai for approximately 5 km (3.1 miles) to reach the Periyaveram archaeological site.

Historical Background

Although only a limited number of archaeological remains survive today, the existing evidence confirms that an ancient Buddhist monastery dating to the early Anurādhapura period once stood at this location.

Location and Nature of Archaeological Evidence

The archaeological remains consist of a large number of stone pillar fragments and the mound of a stupa that has been extensively disturbed by illegal treasure-hunting excavations.

Approximately 30 m (98.4 ft) southwest of the stupa is another ruined building. Its entrance is located on the western side, where only the upper portions of the two guardstones remain visible above the ground.

Around 30 m (98.4 ft) southeast of the stupa are the remains of a larger building, with ruins scattered across an area of approximately 20 square meters. Here too, the two guardstones are deeply buried, with only their upper sections exposed. The stone pillars of the structure have been uprooted and now lie scattered in fragments away from their original positions.

A further ruined building is situated approximately 150 m (492 ft) southwest of this structure. Four stone pillars belonging to this building remain at the site. Another solitary stone pillar stands northwest of the stupa near the roadside, while an additional pillar is located to the south of the stupa.

Approximately 100 m (328 ft) east of the road, further evidence of ancient building foundations can be identified.

When all the archaeological evidence at this site is considered together, it is evident that the location—known today among the Tamil community as Periyaveram (Mahā Vēhera)—was once a major Buddhist monastic complex since the early Anurādhapura period.

Geographical Coordinates

The exact location of the site is as follows:

North Latitude: 7°52’28.8″N
East Longitude: 81°28’26.6″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 Periyaveram Buddhist Archaeological Ruins in Kiran

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Traveling to the Periyaveram Buddhist Archaeological Ruins in Kiran

Route from Batticaloa to Periyaveram Buddhist Archaeological Ruins in Kiran

Through: Kiran
Distance: 36 km
Travel time: 1 hour
Driving directions: see on Google Maps

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Periyaveram Buddhist Archaeological Ruins in Kiran (කිරාන් පෙරියවේරම් බෞද්ධ පුරාවිද්‍යා නටබුන්)
The early Anurādhapura-period Periyaveram (Mahā Vēhera) ruins in Kiran, Batticaloa represent a major monastic complex. The looted site features a disturbed stupa mound and three ruined buildings containing buried guardstones, four remaining pillars, and scattered uprooted fragments near ancient foundations. […]
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