Haiytheli is an ancient Buddhist stupa just south of Gan’s Mukurimagu village, part of a former temple complex, built prior to the Maldives converted to Islam in 1153AD. British archaeologist H.C.P. Bell studied the site in 1922, becoming the first person to prove a Buddhist civilisation existed in the Maldives. Oral tradition suggests the stupa’s name referred to seven (hai) saucepanlike chatras (theli) which would once have appeared on top. During the 1922’s excavation, Bell also excavated the surroundings, identifying a priory (pirivena), monastery (vihara), and image house (watadage), among other buildings.
After the conversion to Islam, the old idols were ordered destroyed and the ready-dressed stones were re-used by islanders. What wasn’t smashed or carried away was often directly recycled to serve the new faith, with Laamu Gan’s first mosque locally known as “Ihu Maa Miskiy” (The ancient great mosque) built on the pirivena, south-west of the Hatteli.

This cultural heritage site on the heritage trail provide vital clues to the Maldives’ mysterious past. Climbing the curious old stupa and exploring the scattered masonry of the earliest settlers will give you a whole new perspective on the island paradise.