Heritage

Narakamulla Archeological Site at Toppigala

54 years ago3 weeks ago04 mins

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තොප්පිගල වන තුල සැඟවුණු නරකමුල්ල සංඝාරාම සංකීර්ණය පුරාවිද්‍යා භූමිය - Narakamulla Archeological Site at Toppigala — තොප්පිගල වන තුල සැඟවුණු නරකමුල්ල සංඝාරාම සංකීර්ණය පුරාවිද්‍යා භූමිය – Narakamulla Archeological Site at Toppigala

Many ancient Buddhist shrines belonging to Eravur Pattu in the Batticaloa District can still be seen in the vicinity of Toppigala. Among these shrines, in addition to the main temples of Toppigala, Nelugala, etc., there are ruins of a huge Sangharama complex spread over a large boulder-strewn land in the Narakamulla area.

On the road from Valachchenai to Batticaloa, turn right at Kiran junction, pass Kiran and go a short distance towards Toppigala, and walk a few kilometres into the forest on the road near the Taravikulam army camp to reach the Narakamulla Archeological Site hidden inside the elephant infested jungles.

Narakamulla, which was an isolated area during the last war, was an area where LTTE terrorist activities took place. The remains of many drip ledge caves with Brahmi inscriptions and buildings of a monastery, including the image house, Bodhigara can be seen all over the lower rock plains. Several Vaharala inscriptions have also been found at this place. Stone remains are decorated with simple carvings and the rock caves with Brahmi characters suggest that this monastery complex belongs to the early Anuradhapura period.

There is evidence that a small bridge built of wood was also built here in the past. While travelling a little higher through the forest, you will find many stone caves with drip ledges, and in some of those stone caves, there are also parts of paintings which resemble pre-historic cave paintings. Even today, there is evidence that the largest stone caves belonging to this cave complex were used as image houses in the ancient past.

A few years ago there was a huge reclining Buddha statue at this site but unfortunately, only a pile of bricks remain today due to treasure hunters. Even today there is evidence that the canopy of this cave was painted and decorated. The longest cave inscription found in this cave complex can also be seen on this cave, which reveals information about the person and his descendants who offered to this cave to Sangha. A small stupa made of granite on the hill above the cave complex is currently under the grip of treasure thieves.

It is the responsibility of the relevant parties to take steps to preserve this place, which was a large Buddhist monastery complex thousands of years ago in the Eastern Province.

Please note that the location marked on the Google Map below is approximate.

Also See

Map of Narakamulla Archaeological Site

Please click on the button below to load the Dynamic Google Map (ගූගල් සිතියම් පහලින්)

Show Location (ගූගල් සිතියම)

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.

Driving Directions to Narakamulla Archaeological Site

Narakamulla Archaeological Site from Polonnaruwa

Via : Manampitiya – Aralagangwila – Damana
Total Distance : 76 KM
Travel Time : 2 Hours
Time to Spend : About 60 Minutes
Driving Directions : View on Google Map

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Also See

Map of Narakamulla Archaeological Site

Driving Directions to Narakamulla Archaeological Site

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