Heritage

Somapura Paschimarama Rajamaha Viharaya Archaeological Site – සෝමපුර පස්චිමාරාම රජමහා විහාරය පුරාවිද්‍යා නටඹුන්

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Scattered ruins at the Somapura Paschimarama Rajamaha Viharaya Archaeological Site
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Somapura lies on the road between Kantale – Serunuwara road in Trincomalee District. The Paschimarama Rajamaha Viharaya is located about 2.3 km away from from Somapura junction on the Kantale – Senunuwara road.

Today the Somapura Paschimarama Rajamaha Viharaya is a fully fledged temple serving the Buddhists around Somapura. Among the new buildings and structures you can still find the ruins of an ancient temple complex at this site.

Ruins of an ancient building and a stupa can be found behind the new image house of the temple. The stupa is overgrown with shrub jungle and a large tree extruding right at the center. The garbha has been dug by treasure hunters and today this just resembles a mound of earth.

Close to this lies remains of a ancient building. All what remains is 30 pillars in five rows each having six pillars. At the center of these ruins lies and octagonal rock pillar possibly an Yupa Gala of a stupa.

Ruins of another building is found nearby. This has been built on 12 pillars lying in 3 rows with 4 pillars on each row. Only short pillar stumps is found today of this building. The new image house has been built next to these ruins. Few other rock pillars can be seen close this building.

Number of other artifacts including parts of 2 Bodhisattva statues and a Buddha statue is kept near the new Bodhi maluwa. In addtion Balustrades (Korawakgala), pillars, a stone vessel and number of other artifacts gathered from various places scattered around the ruins has been placed here.

Remains of a ancient building at the Somapura Paschimarama Rajamaha Viharaya Archaeological Site

An ancient stupa now resembling a mound of earth at the Somapura Paschimarama Rajamaha Viharaya Archaeological Site

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Map of Somapura Paschimarama Rajamaha Viharaya Archaeological Site

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Driving Directions to Somapura Paschimarama Rajamaha Viharaya Archaeological Site

Route from Kantale to Paschimarama Rajamaha Viharaya Archaeological Site	Route from Polgahawela to Paschimarama Rajamaha Viharaya Archaeological Site
Though : Somapura Distance : 38 km Travel time : 45 mins Time to spend : 45 mins Driving directions : see on google map	Though : Kinniya – Mutur Distance : 46 km Travel time : 1 hour & 15 mins Time to spend : 45 mins Driving directions : see on google map

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