Heritage

Ruins at Inginiyagala Ovagiriya (ඉඟිනියාගල ඔවාගිරිය නටබුන්)

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Unique octoganal platfrom of Ovagiriya Stupa
Photo by Dr. Ashan Geeganage

Ovagiriya, also known as Owagiriya, is an archaeological site located in the Ampara District of Sri Lanka’s Eastern Province. The site was discovered and explored by the Department of Archaeology following a request made by the Gal Oya Development Board.

At the time of its discovery, much of Ovagiriya’s ancient structures had already suffered damage due to the operations of tractors involved in the Gal Oya development project. Despite this, remnants such as a stupa, an image house, stone pillar capitals, guard stones, korawak gal (balustrades), and fragments of flat clay roofing tiles were found scattered across an area of approximately 7 to 8 acres.

In 2008, the Department of Archaeology’s Chemical Conservation Division began conservation work on a granite Buddha statue at the site. This statue, standing at an impressive 11½ feet tall, was discovered without its head and hands. At the time conservation began, the statue’s shoulder had broken off and lay on the ground. It was carefully raised and reassembled using a wooden frame and lever system to restore its upright position.

The ruins at Ovagiriya are believed to date back to the 5th century or even earlier. Since the discovery, the Department of Archaeology has restored several key structures, including the granite Buddha statue, the stupa, and parts of the monastic buildings such as the image house. One particularly unique feature of the stupa is its base—it rests not on the more commonly found circular or square platform, but on an unusual octagonal (atapattam) foundation.

Recreation of two legs of the statue with a mixture of granite powder.

After fixing the head to the body of the statue

The resurrected 11 feet Buddha Statue at Ovagiriya

Clay tiles of ancient buildings collected and stacked in Ruins at Ovagiriya

The relic chamber destroyed by the treasure hunters on the Stupa at Ruins at Ovagiriya

Photo courtesy : Dr Ashan Geeganage

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Map of the Ruins at Inginiyagala Ovagiriya

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Driving Directions to Ruins at Inginiyagala Ovagiriya

Route from Ampara to Ruins at Inginiyagala Ovagiriya

Though : Inginiyagala Road
Distance : 19 km
Travel time : 20mins
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Also See

Map of the Ruins at Inginiyagala Ovagiriya

Driving Directions to Ruins at Inginiyagala Ovagiriya

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