Alakeshwara Archaeological Site at Pittakotte – Tomb or Palace? (පිටකෝට්ටේ අලකේශ්වර සොහොන)

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Believed to be the place of burial of the founder of Kotte, the Tomb of Alakeshwara can be easily reached through the Alakeshwara road on the Pittakotte road. Alakeshwara who was a minister of King Vikramabahu III of Gampola was entrusted to cease the advance of Arya Chakravarti’s armies which were advancing along the western coast. According to local legend, the minister observed a hare being chased by a jackal, and when it came to a particular region the hare started chasing the jackal in return. Therefore the region was recognized as a Jaya Bumi and considered suitable to build a fortress.

It is from this position that Minister Alakeshwara commandeered his campaign against the northern army and repulsed their advance. Later kings chose this region as their capital due to the natural protection it offered through the extensive marshes and the Diyawanna Oya.

The site consists of two structures close to each other made of Kabook blocks. The first one is the larger of the two. This is rectangular in shape. 41 feet long and 18.5 feet wide. The other is built on a foundation with an irregular shape.  The structure is a 21.5 feet long square.

Architectural features and the artifacts found on the site, such as grinding stones and water filters found at this site collaborate with the assumption that the site is the palace of Alakeshwara although this site is popularly known as Alakeshwara Tomb (sohona).

Also See

Map of Tomb of Alakeshwara

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Driving Directions to Tomb of Alakeshwara

Distance from Colombo Galle Face to Tomb of Alakeshwara
Though : Rajagiriya
Distance :9 km
Travel time : 20 mins
Driving directions : see on google map

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