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Walamandiya Rock Archaeological Ruins (වලමණ්ඩිය ගල පුරාවිද්‍යා නටබුන්)

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Walamandiya (Valmandiyagala) is a rocky outcrop in the jungle on the border of the Eastern Province, located about 15 kilometers from Aralaganwila. Far removed from any signs of civilization, the area now hosts an army training camp at the base of the rock.

The forested hill of Walamandiya consists of two large rock formations. The ancient ruins are distributed over one of these rocks, which stretches more than 500 meters in length. A now disordered flight of steps, beginning with a plain moonstone devoid of any carvings, had once been constructed to reach a terrace. These ruins are believed to date back to the pre-Christian era.

On the northern face of the rock hill are the remains of three structures (A, B, and C). Two of them (A and B) are rectangular in shape. At the summit of the rock, the remnants of a dagoba (E) can be found—its structure nearly destroyed, leaving only the base and an adjacent structure (F). According to Medhananda Thero (2005), this dilapidated stupa, approximately 18.3 meters (60 feet) in circumference and about 1.8 meters (6 feet) in height, had its relic chamber looted by treasure hunters. The stupa mound is now overgrown with shrubbery.

Carved into the northern slope of the rock are the remains of a stone staircase (D), which would have once provided access to the summit. On the southern face of the rock hill are two indistinct structures (G and I), along with two water holes (H and J). On the eastern side of the summit, there is a flat rock plain, although no additional ruins are visible there.

References

The Exploration Club of Hosei University. (1978). The Ruins of Ancient Sinhalese Civilization -in the Jungle in Mahaweli Ganga Basin- Srilanka – Part II. Kinki Nippon Tourism and Culture Research Institute.
Medhananda Thero, E. (2005). The Sinhala Buddhist heritage in the East and the North of Shri [i.e. Sri] Lanka (1st ed.). Dayawansa Jayakody & Co.

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Travel Directions to Walamandiya Rock Archaeological Ruins

Route from Buttala to Walamandiya Rock Archaeological Ruins

Through : Manampitiya – Aralaganvila
Distance : 51 km
Travel time : 1 hour
Driving directions : see on Google Maps

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References

Also See

Map of Walamandiya Rock Archaeological Ruins

Travel Directions to Walamandiya Rock Archaeological Ruins

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