Serunuwara Siriwaddanaramaya Rajamaha Viharaya

RATE THIS LOCATION : 1 Star

(1 votes, average: 1.00 out of 5)

සේරුනුවර සිරිවඩ්ඩනාරාම රජමහා විහාරය පුරාවිද්‍යා ස්ථානය - Serunuwara Siriwaddanaramaya Rajamaha Viharaya Archaeological Site — Serunuwara Siriwaddanaramaya Rajamaha Viharaya Archaeological Site

Located in the LB Six area of Dehiwatta, Serunuwara, Trincomalee District, on the premises of Sirivaddhanaramaya Viharaya, are the remains of an ancient stupa. This site is believed to be potentially one of the 500 viharas that King Gothabhaya (253-266 CE) is said to have built along the Mahaweli River, according to the Dhatu Wamsa chronicle. Situated in the lower Mahaweli valley, about 8 meters above sea level, the Department of Archaeology undertook the excavation and conservation of this stupa mound.

When discovered through the Serunuwara exploration project, the stupa had become a mound heavily covered in soil and mud over time, with large plants growing on it. Archaeologists speculate that flooding from a Mahaweli River tributary flowing near the Viharaya likely caused this accumulation of mud and soil in the past.

The site is part of a cluster of early Anuradhapura period stupas in the vicinity. It is located two and a half miles from Seruwawila Rajamaha Viharaya, one and a half miles from another ancient stupa mound near the 58th milepost, and three and a half miles from the ancient stupa at Vilgam Vehera.

Recognized as a protected monument by Gazette Notification No. 1786 on November 23, 2012, excavation of the stupa began in 2016. Conservation of the excavated stupa, its surrounding platform (maluwa), and wall (prakaraya) started in 2017, reportedly amidst significant difficulties.

The upper sections of the stupa – the Garbhaya (dome), Hatharas Kotuwa (square chamber), Devatha Kotuwa (deity enclosure), and Koth Keralla (pinnacle) – have been reconstructed and plastered with lime mortar according to the Department of Archaeology’s plans.

The stupa’s basal rings (Pesava) were constructed using bricks of various sizes and thicknesses, with clay mortar binding the interior. Evidence suggests the Pesavas were built in three distinct phases. The first and second phases, which form the base, are well-preserved and visible within the conserved structure. The third, and last added, Pesava is heavily damaged but shows it was built with varying brick sizes and featured six mouldings. This final casing’s Pesava reached a height of about six feet. The total length of the base circle of the Pesava is 163 feet. The first and second phases of Pesavas served as the foundation for the stupa’s construction. The Department of Archaeology has made efforts to conserve the externally wide third phase Pesava, noting its construction with bricks and foundations featuring sinusoidal curves. The chief prelate of Sirivaddhanarama Viharaya, Ven. Kalawane Kosala Tissa Thero, notably contributed about 2000 good quality bricks for the Pesava’s reconstruction.

The stupa is centered within a square platform (maluwa) enclosed by a square black granite wall (prakaraya). Each side of the wall measures 79 feet and seven inches. The wall was built using black granite slabs of various lengths (3, 3.5, 4.5, and 5 feet) with bricks filling the interior. The wall’s foundation is approximately 3 feet 3 inches deep, constructed with black granite. A 7-inch inner curve (sinus) sits atop this foundation, and the wall itself is 2.5 feet wide in the middle. Evidence indicates the outer face of the wall was made of granite slabs about 1.5 feet high and 6 inches thick, while the inner face was brick.

Approximately sixty percent of the wall’s foundation is still preserved, though some stones are missing in places. About 60% of the outer granite slabs also remain, but none are observed on the western side, and the existing slabs and foundation show signs of damage.

The platform itself, which was originally covered with sand, is now uneven with pits and mounds. Evidence suggests there were two entrances through the wall to the platform, located on the eastern and western sides.

Scattered around the stupa on the platform are various archaeological artifacts. To the west of the stupa lies a fallen flower altar, about 5.5 feet long, 2 feet wide, and 6 inches high. Nearby is a heavily decayed footprint stone (Siripatul Gala) measuring 2 feet wide, 2.5 feet long, and 4 inches high. Another Siripatul Gala, measuring 2 feet 4 inches by 2 feet 4 inches and about 4 inches thick, is located north of the stupa. In the same northern area, a broken stone slab, 5 feet wide, 4 feet 2 inches long, and 4 inches thick, is also visible. To the east, a Siripatul Gala marked with a parasol symbol is found, 2 feet by 2 feet and about 4 inches thick. Finally, to the south, near the stupa’s base, is another Siripatul Gala, 2 feet 3 inches long, 2 feet wide, and about 6 inches thick. All these various artifacts are scattered across the platform surrounding the stupa.

Also See

Map of Serunuwara Siriwaddanaramaya Rajamaha Viharaya Archaeological Site

Click on the button below to load the Dynamic Google Map

Show Location on Google Maps

The map above also shows other places of interest within a approximately 20 km radius of the current site. Click on any of the markers and the info box to take you to information of these sites

Zoom out the map to see more surrounding locations using the mouse scroll wheel or map controls.