Naipena Viharaya : Vishnu Kovil No. 4 : Siva Kovil No. 5

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The 2nd Nataraja casing found at the Siva Kovil No 5 in Polonnaruwa

The ruins identified as Naipena Viharaya lie apart from the principal concentration of monuments and the main thoroughfare of the historic Polonnaruwa Kingdom. Within this site stand two Hindu shrines (kovils), attributed to the period of South Indian Cola rule between 936 and 1155 CE.

The larger structure is designated as Siva Devale No. 5, while the adjoining smaller shrine is known as Vishnu Devale No. 4. Originally constructed with a shared wall, these temples differ from other stone-built kovils in the Polonnaruwa region in that they were built predominantly of brick. At present, only their stone pillars and foundational remains survive.

The Siva Temple

The larger shrine, dedicated to Siva, consists of five successive chambers aligned axially, leading to the inner sanctum. Its superstructure was formed of clay bricks and designed in the manner of a Gedige, characterized by a vaulted roof. Within the sanctum is a stone plinth supporting a Siva linga, marking the focal point of worship.

Excavations conducted in 1908 uncovered an important assemblage of bronze and cast-iron religious images from Siva Devale No. 5. Foremost among these is a bronze figure of Siva in his Nataraja (Lord of the Dance) aspect, measuring approximately 0.9 metres (90 cm) in height. The sculpture depicts the deity poised elegantly on his right foot. One of the upper hands holds a kettle drum, symbolising creation, while the other bears a flame, representing destruction. The lower hands assume the Varada (boon-bestowing) and Gajahasta (elephant-trunk-like) mudras, with one gesture directed downward, signifying divine refuge for the devotee’s soul.

The iconographic programme of the Nataraja image is highly symbolic. The deity’s braided locks radiate outward in rhythmic motion, terminating in tight curls. Within the flying hair on the right appears the figure of Ganga, represented as a nagini, while on the left are depicted a cobra and the crescent moon. The elaborate headdress incorporates a skull and culminates in a fan-like arrangement of Cassia leaves, and a pearl band encircles the forehead. Significantly, the statue bears a male earring on the right ear and a female earring on the left, an allusion to Siva’s composite masculine–feminine principle.

Encircling the figure is a flaming aureole (tiruvasi) issuing from the mouths of two makaras. Beneath his feet lies the dwarf demon Apasmara (also known as Muyalaka), emblematic of spiritual ignorance subdued by divine wisdom.

A second bronze image of Nataraja, closely similar in form but lacking the surrounding flaming arch, was also recovered at the site. Additional bronze figures representing Saiva saints were discovered, attesting to the devotional cult traditions that originated in South India and were transmitted to Sri Lanka during the era of Cola occupation.

Hindu Shrines Discovered in the Ancient Polonnaruwa Kingdom

The 1st Nataraja casing found at the Siva Kovil No 5 in Polonnaruwa

12th century God Shiva in a relaxed posture after performing the "Tandava" dance from the Siva Kovil number 5 in ancient Polonnaruwa kingdom

A Shiva saint of South India dated to 12th century CE from the Polonnaruwa Siva Kovil Number 5

An bronze solid caste statue of Sundaramurtiswami, a Siva saint of South India dated to 12th century CE from the Polonnaruwa Siva Kovil Number 5

12th century casting of Chandikeshwara, the most popular Sivan Saint found at the Siva Kovil No 5 in Polonnaruwa. He wears a characteristic short loin cloth.

A carving that represented a cobra with seven heads has made this site popular as the “Naipena Viharaya.” Naipena simply means “head of the cobra.” Even though many images of Hindu gods have been found at the site, no image of God Vishnu has been found.

A broken pillar inscription at the Nai Pena viharaya

A polished shiva linga at the Nai Pena Viharya

References

Coomaraswamy, A.K. (1913) The Arts & Crafts of India & Ceylon. London and Edinburgh: T. N. Foulis.
Coomaraswamy, A.K. and Pearson, J. (1914) Bronzes from Ceylon: Chiefly in the Colombo Museum. Ceylon: Colombo Museum (A No 1).
Silva, R. et al. (2007) History and Archaeology of Sri Lanka Volume II – The Art and Archaeology of Sri Lanka I – . Padukka, Sri Lanka: Central Cultural Fund.
සෙනෙවිරත්න අනුරාධ (1998) පොලොන්නරුව: මධ්‍යකාලීන ලක්දිව අග නගරය . කොළඹ 7, Sri Lanka: පුරාවිද්‍යා දෙපාර්තුමේන්තුව .

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Driving Directions to Polonnaruwa Sacred City

The modern town of Polonnaruwa is also known as New Town, and the other part of Polonnaruwa remains the ancient royal city of the Kingdom of Polonnaruwa.

Route from Colombo to Polonnaruwa Sacred City	Route from Kandy to Polonnaruwa Sacred City
Through: Central Highway—Kurunegala—Dambulla Distance from Colombo: 230 km Travel Time: 5 hours Driving Directions: See on Google Maps.	Through: Maradankadawala–Habarana Distance: 103 km Travel Time: 2 hours Driving Directions: see on Google Maps.
Route from Anuradhapura to Polonnaruwa Sacred City	Route from Batticaloa to Polonnaruwa Sacred City
Through: Maradankadawala–Habarana Distance: 103 km Travel Time: 2 hours Driving Directions: See on Google Maps.	Through: Maradankadawala–Habarana Distance: 103 km Travel Time : 2 hours Driving Directions: see on Google Maps.