Potawa Ambalama in Ridimaliyadda (පෝටෑව අම්බලම)

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An ambalama is a traditional rest house or wayside shelter found in Sri Lanka, primarily used by travellers. These structures date back centuries and were built near roads, rivers, or pilgrimage routes to provide shelter and rest for weary travellers. Ambalamas are often simple, open-sided buildings made of wood, stone and bricks, with a roof for protection from the elements. Some ambalamas are elaborately constructed and may feature intricate carvings and designs. They serve not only as a place for physical rest but also as a spot for social interaction and communal gatherings among villagers.

Potawa Ambalama is a small Ambalama on the Mahiyanganaya – Bibila road in Ridimaliyadda. It lies in the middle of a paddy field at the 15 km post of the B057 (Bibile – Uraniya – Mahiyangana) road. It is built with brick and mortar and six brick pillars hold the roof. The roof is tiled with Calicut clay tiles. The roof of this ambalama was conserved by the Department of Archaeology Department in 2011. This ambalama was declared as a protected archaeological monument on the 25^th of March 2016.

Mahiyanganaya is 24 kilometres away from the Ambalama, while Bibile town is 16 kilometres away. From Mahiyanganaya, use the Badulla route for 13 kilometres before turning into the Bibile road. To get to the little intersection and the turnoff towards Rideemaliyadda Rajamaha Viharaya, continue on this route for another 11 kilometres up to the 15km post.

References

Kariyawasam, A.V. (2016) ‘The Antiquities Ordinance (Chapter 188) Notice Under Section 16’, The Gazette of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka, 24 March, pp. 227–230.
Archaeological Sites Web App (no date) ArcGIS web application. Available at: https://archaeologysl.maps.arcgis.com/apps/webappviewer/index.html (Accessed: 27 May 2024).

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Map of Ridimaliyadda Potawa Ambalama

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Driving Directions to Ridimaliyadda Potawa Ambalama

Route from Mahiyanganaya to Ridimaliyadda Potawa Ambalama

Via : Uraniya
distance : 24 km
Travel time : 30 mins
Driving directions : see on Google map

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References

Also See

Map of Ridimaliyadda Potawa Ambalama

Driving Directions to Ridimaliyadda Potawa Ambalama

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