Kandarodai

Due to the strong Hindu culture, there are very few Buddhist shrines in Jaffna peninsula. Among them, this would be the second most iconic and important destination after Nagadeepa Temple. My next destination was another Buddhist ancient temple. Kadurugoda alias Kandarodai, a small village located in the suburbs of Jaffna. The site is of historical importance due to its remains from the Anuradhapura period. The Kandarodai complex contains the ruins of ancient Buddhist structures. Some of the ruins are believed to be over 2,000 years old. It is a very peaceful area filled with trees and rocks. I could feel the peacefulness and tranquility around me. It was a great relief from the hustle and bustle of the city life. 

The stupa was built by King Kavan Tissa, who ruled from 161 BC – 146 BC. It’s believed that the king built this stupa after he recovered from an illness and the doctors said that it was due to his merits earned on a previous life when he was Buddha’s disciple Sariputta. There are many ruins in this complex. The most interesting one is the stone inscription that tells us about the history of Kandarodai. It mentions that Kandarodai was established as a settlement by King Udaya I (89-77 BC) during his reign. He also built several other Buddhist structures, including a dagoba, vihara and stupa at this site. The inscription also mentions that King Udaya I donated the village of Kandarodai to a group of monks who resided there.

The stupa of Kandarodai is a simple structure, with a single story, built on top of a low platform. It faces east and is surrounded by an enclosure wall made up of stone slabs laid in an alternate pattern. The wall has two entrances that are decorated with beautiful carvings. The stupa itself is approximately 11 meters in height and has a diameter of about 3.3 meters at the base. It is divided into three main parts; the lower circular drum, the octagonal platform which supports it and the spire or finial on top of that. The stupa has been built using bricks and stone, with the latter being used for the finial. The spire is decorated with a series of lotus petals that alternate with discs. The stupa is decorated with beautiful carvings which tell a story about Buddha’s life. The carvings depict scenes from the lives of Bodhisattvas and other related subjects.

You may find the place with quiet less crowded, but it is worth to be there. If you are interested in archaeology, you should not definitely miss this amazement destination. Kandarodai is ideal for family outings and outings with friends too. Not just for fun, but also to get the vibe which has been there since a long long time ago. If you ever happen to be in Jaffna, this should be added to your list of places to visit!

Kandarodai Viharaya