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The Rathkarauwa Archaeological Site is located about 7.5 kilometres from Kurunegala town along the Puttalam Road and can be reached in just 15 minutes. It lies within the Rathkarauwa Grama Niladhari Division of the Bamunakotuwa Divisional Secretariat.
The site is believed to date back to the late Anuradhapura period, with ruins scattered across roughly two acres. Among these are stone pillars of ancient buildings, sacred footprint stones, and numerous brick fragments, all hinting at the site’s historic significance.
The most striking feature of the site is a stupa built on a square brick platform. Four stone steps and a plain moonstone mark the entrance, flanked by stone balustrades. Beside the moonstone lies a square stone basin, likely used for washing feet before entering the sacred area.
Excavations reveal that the stupa was originally bubble-shaped and later enlarged. During conservation, Sripathul (sacred footprint) stones were placed on newly built pedestals. Stone-carved drains extend from the platform to direct rainwater away from the sand courtyard.
According to local legend, a sacred tooth relic was once enshrined within the stupa. It was declared a protected archaeological monument on May 19, 1967.
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Map of Rathkarauwa Archaeological Site
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Driving Rathkarauwa Archaeological Site
| Route from Colombo to Rathkarauwa Archaeological Site | Route from Kurunegala to Rathkarauwa Archaeological Site |
| Through : Katunayake – Mirigama – Central Highway Distance : 112 km Travel time : 2.40 hours Time to spend : 30-40 minutes Driving directions : see on Google map | Through : Distance : 7.7 km Travel time : 15 minutes Time to spend : 30-40 minutes Driving directions : see on Google map |
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