Ruins of Vidataltivu Tharama Madam in Mannar

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Ruins of Vidataltivu Tharama Madam in Mannar

Ambalam (madam) in the Jaffna generally differs from such structures in other areas. The Madams in these areas are generally a collection of several structures with specific features.

The Ambalama itself (Madam) – The resting place for the people
Load Brearer structure (Sumaithaangi, Sumai Thangi, Sumai Thaangi, and Cumaitanki) – A platform of about 3 feet high. This is used to keep the goods carried on the head or shoulders of the traveller and to load them back without the help of another person.
Stone Pillar (Avurancikal) – A circular stone pillar erected close to the Ambalama. This is about 3-4 feet high and used for the cattle to relieve themselves from an itch called Thinavu by rubbing their bodies against the pillar.
Pond (keni) – Keni is a pond filled with water for the cattle to quench their thirst.
Well (Kinaru) – This is a well for the traveller to bathe or wash. Some wells are constructed so that people can walk down to reach the water during dry seasons when the water level is low.

There are ruins of a few madams between Mannar and Jaffna as well. The ruins of one such madam lie in the village of Vidataltivu coastal town in Mannar District. Vidataltivu was used as the base to control the Mannar coast by the sea tigers of the brutal LTTE terrorist group before they were wiped out.

It is said that this ambalama was built for the use of devotees who travel to Tirukeshwaram Kovil. It seems that it is about 150 years old. The building is made of limestone and lime mortar.

Currently, the Vidataltivu Tharama Madam (Ambalama) is completely dilapidated and the roof has collapsed. There is a wall outside of the building and part of it is also destroyed. The entrance to this building is to the east. The windows and door frames have been removed. The building is built on a platform of 60 cm in height. The outhouses of the Madam (Ambalama) have also been destroyed. The whole land where Madam (Ambalama) stood is completely covered in thick thorny trees. According to folklore, the old Mannar-Jaffna route lay passing this Ambalama.

To reach this site, proceed along Mannar-Jaffna A32 Road up to Pallemady Junction, turn left and travel 1.25 km and reach Vidathalthivu village. Turn right to St James Church Road at the junction of the village and the site is to the left of the road.

මන්නාරම විඩිතලතිව් මඩම (අම්බලම) - Vidataltivu Madam (Ambalama) in Mannar — මන්නාරම විඩිතලතිව් මඩම (අම්බලම) – Vidataltivu Madam (Ambalama) in Mannar
ජයාරුපය : මන්නාරම දිස්ත්‍රික්කය ග්‍රන්ථය – පුරාවිද්‍යා දෙපාර්තමේන්තුව

References

The Green Movement of Sri Lanka (no date) Guide to Archaeological Values for Tourism in Mannar District. The Green Movement of Sri Lanka.
අසංග, එම්. වී. පී. කේ. සහ නිශාන්ත, අයි. පී. ඇස්., 2018. මන්නාරම දිස්ත්‍රික්කය – පුරාවිද්‍යා දෙපාර්තමේන්තුව. 1වන සංස්කරණය. කොළඹ: රජයේ මුද්‍රණ දෙපාර්තුමේන්තුව,පිටු 105.

Also See

Map of Ruins of Vidataltivu Tharama Madam in Mannar

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

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Travel Directions to Ruins of Vidataltivu Tharama Madam in Mannar

Route from Mannar to Ruins of Vidataltivu Tharama Madam

Through : Adampan
Distance : 21 km
Travel time : 30 mins.
Driving directions : see on Google map

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References

Also See

Map of Ruins of Vidataltivu Tharama Madam in Mannar

Travel Directions to Ruins of Vidataltivu Tharama Madam in Mannar

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