Alakeshwara Archaeological Site (also known as Alakeshwara Maligaya or Alakeshwara Sohona) is a historical site with archaeological ruins, situated in Sri Jayawardenepura Kotte, Western province, Sri Lanka. The site has been formally recognised by the Government as an archaeological protected monument in Sri Lanka.[1]
| Alakeshwara Archaeological Site | |
|---|---|
අලකේෂ්වර පුරාවිද්යා ස්ථානය அழகேசுவரன் தொல்பொருள் ஆய்வு இடம் | |
 | |
 | |
| Alternative names | Alakeshwara Palace or Alakeshwara Tomb |
| General information | |
| Type | Archaeological protected monument |
| Location | Ethul Kotte |
| Town or city | Sri Jayawardenepura Kotte |
| Country | Sri Lanka |
| Coordinates | 6°53′47.2″N 79°54′27.6″E / 6.896444°N 79.907667°E |
| Owner | Archaeological Department (Sri Lanka) |
The site consists of two rectangular-shaped building foundations, built out of Kabok stones. The two foundations are located close to each other and assumed to be the palace ruins of King Nissanka Alagakkonara (Alakeshwara), who was a minister of King Vikramabahu III of Gampola.[2][3] The larger foundation is about 12 m (39 ft) length and 5.6 m (18 ft) wide while the smaller square foundation has a length and width of 6.6 m (22 ft). Architectural features and the artifacts found from the site, such as grinding stones and water filters collaborate the assumption that the site is the palace of Alakeshwara.[4] However this site is also known as the mausoleum (tomb) of Alakeshwara,[5] but there is no conclusive evidence to substantiate this claim.
See also edit
References edit
- ^ "Kotte - The Alakeshwara Road". defonseka.com. Archived from the original on 17 March 2017. Retrieved 16 March 2017.
- ^ "Tomb of Alakeshwara – Pittakotte පිටකෝට්ටේ අලකේශ්වර සොහොන". Amazinglanka. Retrieved 16 March 2017.
- ^ "Alakeshwara Archaeological Site". Lanka Pradeepa. 2019. Retrieved 11 July 2021.
- ^ "Exploring the forgotten Kingdom of Kotte". Daily FT. 7 December 2013. Archived from the original on 14 March 2017. Retrieved 16 March 2017.
- ^ "Alakeshwara sohona (tomb)". The Nation (Sri Lanka). 4 June 2006. Archived from the original on 22 June 2019. Retrieved 16 March 2017.