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Pullavi Jungle Buddhist Monastic Ruins (3) in Kayankerni (කායංකේණි බෞද්ධ ආරාමික නටබුන් – 3)

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Pullavi Jungle Buddhist Monastic Ruins (3) in Kayankerni

The Pullavi Jungle Ruins (3) in Kayankerni are an early Anuradhapura-period Buddhist monastery complex. Despite treasure-hunting damage, the forested site preserves carved foundation stones, stone pillars, a mortised doorway slab, and balustrade fragments. It represents one of three interconnected yet distinct monastic centers in the area.

The site known as Pullavi Jungle Buddhist Monastic Ruins (3) is located in the village of Kayaṅkerni, within the Grāma Niladhāri Division of Kayaṅkerni 211-A, in the Divisional Secretariat Division of Kōrale Pattu North (Vakarai).

Access Route

From the Nāvaladi Junction, travel along the Trincomalee Road (A15). After passing the 43rd kilometer post, turn right at the Kayaṅkerni Bridge. Continue through Kayaṅkerni village for approximately 1.5 kilometers (0.9 miles) towards the east along the Pullavi forest road to reach the site.

Location of the Site and Nature of Archaeological Evidence

Within this forested area, there are three separate locations containing the ruins of ancient Buddhist monastic complexes. These sites most likely belonged to the same monastic establishment, although they were constructed at some distance from one another, possibly to enable independent functioning.

Many of the monuments at the site have been damaged and disturbed by treasure hunters in the past, resulting in numerous architectural elements being displaced from their original positions. Among the surviving remains are stone pillars, a basal stone slab of a doorway containing mortises, fragments of stone balustrades, stone slabs bearing cut marks, and foundation stones decorated with artistic carvings and moldings.

To the south of the principal site, the pillar remains of two additional buildings have also been identified. Based on the architectural characteristics and archaeological evidence, the ruins at this site have been dated to the early Anurādhapura period.

Geographical Coordinates

The exact location of the site is as follows:

North Latitude: 7°59’32.2″N
East Longitude: 81°30’53.7″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 Pullavi Jungle Buddhist Monastic Ruins (3) in Kayankerni

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Traveling Directions to Pullavi Jungle Buddhist Monastic Ruins (3) in Kayankerni

Route from Trincomalee to Pullavi Jungle Buddhist Monastic Ruins (3) in Kayankerni

Through: Mutur – Serunuwara – Vakare
Distance: 96 km
Travel time: 2.0 hours
Driving directions : see on Google Maps

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