Vakaneri Reserve Buddhist Archaeological Ruins

RATE THIS LOCATION : 1 Star

(2 votes, average: 2.00 out of 5)

The Anurādhapura-period Vakaneri Reserve Monastic Complex in Panayamuravu Forest, Kiran, contains a severely looted stupa mound and eight ruined buildings. Surviving features include a rectangular structure with 17 stone pillars, an adjacent seven-pillar extension, a 12-pillar structure, and scattered ancient bricks, roof tiles, and pottery.

Vakaneri Reserve Buddhist Archaeological Ruins are located in the upper reaches of Vakaneri Reservoir within the Vakaneri Wewa Forest Reserve in the village of Vakaneri within the Grāma Niladhāri Division of Punanai West, in the Divisional Secretariat Division of Kōrale Pattu South (Kiran) in Batticaloa District.

Access Route

After traveling approximately 8 km (5 miles) along the Oddamavadi–Vakaneri Road, visitors reach the ancient Vakaneri Wewa reservoir. The forested area located to the west of the reservoir is known as Panayamuravu Forest. This forest can be accessed either from the Oddamavadi–Punanai main road or from the western end of the Vakaneri Wewa reservoir bund.

Historical Background

The architectural characteristics of the structures and the associated archaeological remains indicate that this site was a Buddhist monastic complex dating to the Anuradhapura period.

Location of the Site and Archaeological Remains

The forested region extending northward from the western side of the Vakaneri Wewa reservoir bund is known as Panayamuravu Forest. Within this forest lie the remains of a stupa and eight buildings that once formed an ancient monastic complex that existed more than two millennia ago.

Unfortunately, all of the visible ruins have suffered varying degrees of destruction as a result of treasure hunting and vandalism.

The Stupa

The stupa mound has been extensively damaged by treasure hunters, who excavated the dome to a depth of approximately 10 m (32.8 ft). Following the clearing of debris from this pit, it was observed that the structure had been constructed using successive layers of clay. Bricks and stone artifacts are scattered across the mound and throughout the surrounding area.

Ruined Structures Around the Stupa

A heavily damaged building is located approximately 10 m (32.8 ft) west of the stupa mound. At this location, three stone pillars remain in their original positions, accompanied by foundation stones and bricks that formed part of the building’s foundation.

Another structure is situated about 5 m (16.4 ft) south of the stupa mound. Unlike many of the other ruins, this building has not yet been disturbed by treasure hunters. Constructed in a rectangular plan measuring approximately 6 × 4 m (19.7 × 13.1 ft), it still contains 17 stone pillars arranged in four rows. These pillars, each standing about 0.5 m (1.6 ft) high, remain in their original positions. The stones were roughly dressed, and tool marks are still clearly visible on their surfaces.

Approximately 4 m (13.1 ft) south of this structure, a further seven stone pillars can be identified. These may represent an extension or annex associated with the original building.

Additional Monastic Remains

Further south are the ruins of another building, where 12 stone pillars can still be seen standing in their original locations. Additional architectural remains are scattered throughout the area, many having been displaced from their original positions.

Numerous stone artifacts associated with the monastery can be found across the site. These include entrance stones, stone rainwater drainage gutters, fragments of roof tiles, bricks, and pottery. Together, these remains provide valuable evidence of a once-thriving monastic complex within Panayamuravu Forest.

Geographical Coordinates

The exact location of the site is as follows:

North Latitude: 7°56’57.8″N
East Longitude: 81°25’09.6″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 Vakaneri Reserve Buddhist Archaeological Ruins

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.