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Thanthravali Buddhist Archaeological Ruins in Muruthtthanai (තන්ත්‍රාවලි බෞද්ධ පුරාවිද්‍යා නටබුන්)

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Thanthravali Buddhist Archaeological Ruins in Muruthtthanai

The Anurādhapura-period Thanthravali Monastic Complex in Akkuranai (Kiran) sits forested near the Maduru Oya River. The site features a looted 4-meter-tall brick stupa mound, structures with 14 and seven stone pillars, a flower altar, and a stone-walled pond system.

Thanthravali Buddhist Archaeological Ruins is located in the village of Akkuranai, within the Grāma Niladhāri Division of Muruthtthanai 209-A, in the Divisional Secretariat Division of Kōrale Pattu South (Kiran) of Batticaloa District.

Access Route

From Kiran Junction, travel along the Thureiyadi Road to Pulipanchakal Junction. Turn right and continue past the Napaththawil Reservoir to reach the Indigenous village of Muruthtthanai. From there, proceed towards Thanthravali village and enter the Thanthravali Forest. The archaeological site is located deep within the jungle, and there is no clearly defined road network. Therefore, it is advisable to travel with a local villager who is familiar with the forest paths leading to the site.

Historical Background

The architectural characteristics and construction materials used throughout the ruins clearly indicate that this was a major ancient Buddhist monastic complex dating to the Anurādhapura period.

Location of the Site and Nature of Archaeological Evidence

The ruins are situated within a forested area near the Maduru Oya River. Although the jungle to the west of the site has been cleared, the archaeological remains themselves are preserved within the surrounding forest.

The ancient complex consists of the ruins of stupas and associated buildings spread across an area of approximately 100 square meters (1,076 square feet). Much of the site has suffered extensive damage due to unauthorized excavations by treasure hunters.

The central stupa, constructed of molded bricks, has been extensively damaged by treasure hunters. The deep pit created by these unauthorized excavations has exposed its internal structure. The surviving stupa mound now stands approximately 4 meters (13.1 feet) in height.

To the north and south of the stupa are the remains of several ancient buildings and scattered architectural ruins. One building site contains 14 stone pillars, each approximately 0.5 meters (1.6 feet) in height. Nearby is another building that has been severely damaged by treasure hunters. The surviving remains of this structure include seven large upright stone pillars, each approximately 1.5 meters (4.9 feet) high, together with several fallen pillars.

A solitary stone pillar stands some distance southwest of the main ruins. Nearby, a partially buried stone flower altar can also be identified.

Beyond the central archaeological area, to the southwest, is a small pond with a stone retaining wall and an associated water channel, indicating the presence of an ancient water management system associated with the monastery.

Geographical Coordinates

The exact location of the site is as follows:

North Latitude: 7°54’23.9″N
East Longitude: 81°24’10.8″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 Thanthravali Buddhist Archaeological Ruins in Muruthtthanai

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Traveling to the Thanthravali Buddhist Archaeological Ruins in Muruthtthanai

Route from Batticaloa to Thanthravali Buddhist Archaeological Ruins in Muruthtthanai

Through: Kiran – Muruthtthanai
Distance: 50km
Travel time: 1.30 hours
Driving directions : see on Google Maps

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Thanthravali Buddhist Archaeological Ruins in Muruthtthanai (තන්ත්‍රාවලි බෞද්ධ පුරාවිද්‍යා නටබුන්)
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