Madurankeni Watagala Buddhist Monastic Ruins

RATE THIS LOCATION : 1 Star

(2 votes, average: 2.00 out of 5)

The Watagala Monastery Ruins are an extensive early Anuradhapura-period complex in Vakare. It features a large hilltop stupa, 13 ruined structures—including a unique circular or octagonal building—and three natural rock pools. The site has faced treasure-hunting damage at all structures.

The Madurankeni Watagala Buddhist Monastic Ruins, located in Madurankeni within the Madurankenikulam 211-B Grama Niladhari Division of the Korale Pattu North (Vakare) Divisional Secretariat, preserve the remains of an extensive Buddhist monastery complex dating to the Early Anuradhapura Period.

Access Route

Travel along the Vakare–Batticaloa (A15) road until reaching the area near the 52 km (32.3 miles) milestone opposite the Naval Base. From there, turn right onto the Midurankulam road and continue for approximately 4.3 km (2.67 miles). After passing a small reservoir on the right-hand side, proceed a further 1.3 km (0.81 miles) along the Watagala minor road through scrub forest. The ruins are situated near the rock outcrop located on the right-hand side of the canal encountered at this point.

Historical Background

The archaeological remains at Watagala belong to the Early Anuradhapura Period, as indicated by the architectural features, structural remains, and surviving primary archaeological context.

Location and Nature of Archaeological Evidence

The site is bordered by an irrigation canal on the western side, while scattered stone pillars and slabs are distributed across the northern, southern, and western areas. On the eastern side stands a rock ridge extending approximately 150 m (492 feet) in length. Around this ridge are the remains of an important Buddhist religious complex associated with the Anuradhapura Period.

Approximately 13 ruined structures, including buildings constructed on and around the slopes of the ridge together with ponds, have been identified at the site. Every structure has suffered severe destruction due to treasure hunting activities. Owing to the abundance of stone pillars and the presence of a circular building with foundation stones, the area has become popularly known as Watagala.

The principal stupa was constructed on the highest part of the site and appears to have been a large monument. Remains of a retaining wall can still be identified, while bricks from the original dome remain scattered across the structure. Large and small stone flower altars, stone slabs, and bricks are distributed around the monument, with many artifacts having been displaced and pushed down the slopes.

On the northern slope of the site, eight medium-sized pillar bases arranged in a circular formation can still be seen on the exposed rock surface. This arrangement suggests the existence of a circular or octagonal building.

Additional structural remains are spread across the flat rock surface facing the north-eastern side of the plateau. These buildings had brick foundations, while the surrounding area had been secured with retaining walls constructed from stone slabs.

Because nearly all parts of the site have been heavily disturbed and damaged, accurately reconstructing the original layout and architectural arrangement is difficult. Nevertheless, large foundation stones, stone pillars, fragments of stone slabs, brick foundations, and scattered roof tiles remain visible throughout the site. These structural remains extend as far as the southern edge of the plateau.

According to local villagers, a Buddha statue had remained at the site until recent times, although it is no longer present today.

Three natural rock pools can also be identified on the flat surface of the plateau. These pools would likely have supplied water to the monks residing at the monastery. Evidence further indicates that natural depressions and rock formations were modified in order to collect and retain water for use within the monastic complex. In addition, lines and markings engraved onto the rock surface appear to indicate positions where structural elements had once been anchored.

Geographical Coordinates

The exact location of the site is as follows:

North Latitude: 8°02’41.0″N
East Longitude: 81°25’16.2″E

References

Exploration and Documentation Division (Ed.). (2017). පුරාවිද්යා ස්ථාන හඳුනා ගැනීමේ ගවේෂණ වාර්තාව, මඩකලපුව දිස්ත්රික්කය. Department of Archaeology, Sri Lanka.

Also See

Traveling Directions to Madurankeni Watagala Buddhist Monastic Ruins

Route from Trincomalee to Aththiyawadical Rock Buddhist Monastic Ruins

Through: Mutur – Senunuwara – Vakare
Distance: 90 km
Travel time: 2 hours
Driving directions : see on Google Maps

Map of the Madurankeni Watagala Buddhist Monastic 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.