කාලිංග නුවර සොයා (Hidden city of Kalinga island)

Kalinga Island is located in the center of Mahaweli River at the boarder of the Wasgamuwa NP & it consists of 7 islands. The main island harbours ruins of a forgotten era. It’s said that princes of Kalinga sailed upstream along Mahaweli River to the interior of the country and this mini island was once believed to be their ship manufacturing yard. Also in text it has mentioned that King Parakramabahu sent ships to invade Burma from this point. The archeology evidence found on the island suggests that on a later date a Buddhist monastery has been constructed on this land.

The map (click to enlarge)

the huge island (click to enlarge)

Actually the chief organizer was Amila but he had to return back to Colombo for a personal reason. Anyway we proceeded as planned and NG & Yohan also planned to join us. On the previous day we reached Damana wewa and found a guide, we also informed the local DWC officer of Damana wewa. Next day morning we met each other at Siripura and reached the elephant fence at Damana wewa where we halted our vehicles and started marching.

As we crossed the elephant fence we came across a mini canal called “Kalinga Yoda Ela” which was done by the kings to diverted water from Mahaweli River at the southern tip of Kalinga Island by damming the river. Parallel to the canal the great river of Mahaweli could be found and there were few fishermen who were trying to earn something to tackle their day to day lives. Walking along the shores of Mahaweli we started crossing the river by first reaching one of those miniature islands. The main island was seen on the opposite bank and one could not say it’s an island because it looked just like the main land. The crossing towards the island was very tricky where at some points the water level were up to our chest height. The most challenging aspects were the slippery bed rocks & the rapid tides.

Quote

“Kalinga Ela apparently starts about 1km upstream of the island of Kalinga Nuwara in Mahweli river left bank, with a 20m wide entrance and between that and Amban Ganga, within the Wasgomuwa National Park, some 2km stretch of the channel is visible still (personal comm.- J. Balasooriya). The map of Elahera (#43) of 1:50000 scale shows an irrigation canal between Amban Ganga and Mahaweli Ganga but without a proper beginning. It is just above the 40m contour and some 4km long. It enters Dedarane Wewa after 1.5km and leaves on its other side and then meets Nabunagas Kotaliya Ela (some 200m before Amban Ganga) which feeds Dastota Wewa located below the 40m contour.

There is a strong possibility that this canal could be the same Kalinga Ela. The same map shows a canal leaving the right bank of the Mahaweli River some 500m above Kalinga Nuwara which continues all the way to Dimbulagala, and names it Kalinga Yoda Ela (that is referred to as Gomathie Ela by Balasooriya, 2004).”

on our way along the elephant fence

crossing kalinga yoda ela

mahaweli

the island seen

crossing over

After all of us got to the shores safe and soundly we started to trek in to the island. Ruins were found mainly on the highest points of the island well cleared from high flood levels of river Mahaweli. The monoliths we came across were all less than 2 feet and scattered all over the island. We reached an interesting point where rows of rocks were placed towards the Wasgamuwa side of the island. This site seemed to be where the ships were launched in to the river. Other interesting findings we came across were a huge building which was dug up, a large excavated (by thieves) pagoda and few moon stones with elephant carvings. This large island needs proper protection and restoration because of its uniqueness and we hope someday the department of archaeology would take some interest in such a valued site like this. On our way back we had a nice dip in a mini river which traverses the island and it was equal to a paradise for our tired souls.

the island forest

one straight kumbuk tree

along a mini stream traversing the island

piece of korawak stone

plenty of monoliths

more

human interventions

tall trees in the island

note the base

taking the elephant path

twins

kaluwara

urinary stone

a monolith

rocks plated like a stairway… may be the ships which were built were pushed to the river along this

the plated rocks

other side of the island

wasgamuwa side

one long monolith

bricks

work of nidan horu

a huge sthupa dugged to the base

a huge brick

the buried moonstone

two elephants on a moonstone

note the two elephants

part of a moonstone

parts of tile

see the carvings showing the importance of the location

faded carving

තිඹිරි

another korawak stone

mahaweli river seen

paradise

paradise indeed

.

lovely location

Crossing back to the main land was with many slips and falls across the river which left us with some unforgettable experiences. To finish off the day we had a wonderful “Game Batha” (which was homemade) at a miniature hut in the middle of a “Chena” where the breeze brushed off our sweat. After thanking the local guides and the DWC officer we left towards Sripura to head towards our own destinations.

crossing back to the main land

.

many falls

on a mini island

the island land is seen on the right

fisherman

plenty of mini islands

returning back

having lunch (Photographer NG)