Nissanka Latha Mandapaya of the Polonnaruwa Ancient Kingdom

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Nissanka Latha Mandapaya of the Polonnaruwa Ancient Kingdom

Nissanka Latha Mandapaya in Polonnaruwa is a 12th-century architectural masterpiece commissioned by King Nissanka Malla. Renowned for its unique curvilinear pillars mimicking lotus stalks, this elegant Kuludage served as a royal pavilion for chanting Pirit, featuring a central stone stupa and an intricate post-and-rail stone enclosure.

As one of the most aesthetically pleasing and original monuments in the ancient city of Polonnaruwa, this small yet majestic pavilion is situated within the Dalada Maluwa, or Sacred Quadrangle. It served as a site for royal religious worship during the 12th-century reign of King Nissanka Malla.

Origins

This monument is definitively linked to King Nissanka Malla (1187–1196 CE), a ruler known for his extensive building projects and his tendency to leave self-praising inscriptions across the kingdom . Although King Nissanka Malla frequently took credit for projects started by his predecessor, King Parakramabahu the Great, scholars generally concur that the Nissanka Latha Mandapaya was his own original creation. (Prematilleke, 1990)

A pillar inscription discovered at the site confirms that the king called the structure Nissanka Latha Mandapaya. He utilized the pavilion as a sanctuary where he could listen to the chanting of Pirit, which are sacred Buddhist protective texts. (Bell, 1915)

Architecture and Design

The key architectural feature of the Nissanka Latha Mandapaya is its curvilinear stone pillars, which were crafted to look like petrified lotus stalks. This design is unique within ancient Sri Lankan architecture and represents a shift away from the traditional octagonal or rectangular pillars seen in earlier Anuradhapura style constructions.

The Roof: Archaeological evidence suggests the structure originally supported a tiled and wooden roof, though this upper portion has long since decayed (Bell, 1915). The Mandapa is regarded as one of the earliest examples of a Kuludage (Prematilleke, 2007), a specific type of shrine where a Stupa is protected under an open roof.
The Pillars: Eight ornamental pillars are arranged inside the pavilion. Each pillar features a three-fold curved shaft that imitates the natural bend of a lotus stem, ending in a capital carved to look like a blooming lotus bud. These pillars stand approximately 2.54 meters [8 feet 4 inches] tall. (Prematilleke, 2007)
The Centerpiece: A small stone Stupa stands in the center of the platform, acting as the focal point for the king’s worship. The base of this Stupa is adorned with figures of devotees in prayerful poses.
The Railing: A stone wall designed in the style of a Buddhist railing surrounds the entire pavilion. This stone enclosure was built to mimic the appearance of timber post-and-rail construction.

Layout and Dimensions

The Mandapa is constructed on a raised stone platform inside the Sacred Quadrangle. The pillars are anchored into a floor that demonstrates a high degree of symmetry and proportion. Records and drawings made by H.C.P. Bell (1915) during his excavations indicate that the columns were positioned to create a central area for the king to sit, while the Stupa served as the spiritual anchor of the space.

The Pillar Inscription

The inscription is cut on the base of the eight ornamental pillars of the Nissanka-Lathá-Mandapaya. Only one remains now, and the record is nearly complete.

මෛත්‍රීන් ලොක ශාස
න සනහා ලොක වාසී
න්ට පුණ්‍ය ක්ෂෙත්‍ර කො
ට ආයතන නිශ්ශංක
ලතා මංඩපයෙ හි
න්දෑ පිරිත් (අසන කුඩ)
මැ

Transcript.
Maitrín loka sása
na sanahá loka vásí
nța punyakshetra ko
ța ayatana Nissanka
latá mañdapaye hi
ndę pirit (asana kudu)
me

Translation.
This is the pavilion for the hearing of Pirit. What time His Majesty, seated in the sanctuary, the “Nissanka Latha Mandaya,” provides in loving kindness a field of merit for the peace of the world dwellers and the Buddhist faith.

Rock carved pillars in shape of Lotus stems at the Nissanka Latha Mandapaya of the Polonnaruwa Ancient Kingdom

The small stupa at the center of the Nissanka Latha Mandapaya of the Polonnaruwa Ancient Kingdom

References

Bell, H. C. P. (1915). Archaeological Survey of Ceylon: North-central, Central and North-western Provinces : Annual Report 1911-1912. H. R. Cottle, Government Printer of Ceylon.
Wikramagamage, C. (2004). Heritage of Rajarata: Major Natural, Cultural and Historic Sites (1st ed.). Rajarata Development Bank and Central Bank of Sri Lanka.
Burrows, S. M. (1894). The Buried Cities of Ceylon: A Guide Book to Anuradhapura and Polonnaruwa : with Chapters on Dambulla, Kalawewa, Mihintale, and Sigiri (2nd ed.). A.M. & J. Ferguson. (Original work published 1885)
Mitton, G. (1917). The Lost Cities of Ceylon. Frederick A. Stokes Company.
Paranavitana, S., 1950. Guide to Polonnaruva. Colombo: Government Press.
Prematilleke, P. L. (1990). The Architecture of the Polonnaruwa Period B.C. 800 — 1200 A.D. In N. De Silva (Ed.), Archaeological Department Centenary (1890-1990) : Commemorative Series : Volume Three : Architecture (1st ed., Vols. 3–4, pp. 35–70). Department of Archaeology, Sri Lanka.
Prematilleke, P. L. (2007). The Art and Archaeology of Sri Lanka I: Archaeology, Architecture, Sculpture. Central Cultural Fund.
Wijesekera, N. (1962). Early Sinhalese Sculpture (1st ed.). M. D. Gunasena & Co Ltd.

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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.