Council Chamber of King Parakramabahu I

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The Rajasabha Mandapaya of the Parakramabahu

The Council Chamber (Raja Sabha Mandapaya) of King Parākramabāhu I (1153–1186 CE), identified in the Cūlavamsa as the Rajavesyabhujanga Mandapa, functioned as the principal center of legislation and governance in 12th-century Polonnaruwa.

Situated within the twenty-five-acre royal Citadel, just east of the king’s main palace, the Vaijayanta Prasada, it provided a formal and imposing setting where the monarch received ambassadors, consulted ministers, and addressed his subjects.

Historical Background

Constructed during the reign of Parākramabāhu I, the Council Chamber stands directly in front of the royal palace complex. The structure rises upon three successive layers of solid stone, each richly ornamented with sculptural decoration. The lowest tier displays a continuous frieze of elephants, each rendered in a distinct posture. The second tier is carved with lions, while the third is adorned with figures referred to as Wamana.

Although fundamentally a 12th-century construction, archaeological evidence indicates that the building underwent significant modifications at a later date, most probably during the reign of Parākramabāhu II (1236–1270 CE) (Paranavitana, 1950).

Architecture and Dimensions

The Council Chamber is an oblong, three-tiered structure elevated on a broad terrace.

The base platform measures approximately 23 meters by 10.2 meters (75.5 by 33.5 feet) (Prematilleke, 1990). The retaining wall of this platform rises to about 2.7 meters (9 feet) in height (Burrows, 1885/1894).

Each of the three tiers is embellished with elaborate stone bas-reliefs. The lowest level features a procession of elephants carved with remarkable naturalism. The second tier presents stylized lions, while the third tier depicts dwarf figures (ganas) portrayed in varied attitudes.

The principal entrance is oriented to the north and is approached by two flights of steps separated by a central gangway. This entrance is flanked by stylized stone lions, forming a Simhadvara, or “Lion-portal.” The approach is further enhanced by moonstones—significantly omitting the bull motif out of deference to Hindu sensibilities—and by makara balustrades.

The uppermost platform formed the floor of an open pavilion that once supported a wooden superstructure and tiled roof. The hall contains forty-eight slender granite pillars arranged in four parallel rows of twelve. These pillars are decorated with delicately carved floral motifs executed in shallow relief (Prematilleke, 1990).

The Seating Hierarchy

Inscriptions engraved on the pillars designate the precise seating arrangement of members of the royal court. To the king’s right were seated the Yuvaraja (sub-king or Mapa), the Epas (princes), the Seneviradun (commander-in-chief), the Adhikarins (principal chiefs), and the Chief Secretary. To his left were positioned the provincial governors, district chiefs, and leading merchants.

Restoration and Present Status

Systematic excavation and clearance of the site commenced under the Archaeological Survey of Ceylon in 1901, with major work on the Council Chamber undertaken in 1905. Although the original wooden roof and superstructures have disappeared, the stone foundations and decorated pillars remain well preserved.

Since 1982, the Council Chamber has been protected as part of the UNESCO World Heritage City of Polonnaruwa. It is presently administered by the Central Cultural Fund under the Cultural Triangle Project and continues to stand as one of the most architecturally significant secular monuments within the royal citadel.

Bottom Moonstone of the Royal Court of king Parakramabahu

Moonstone at the first level of the Royal Court of king Parakramabahu

Lions carved in stone at the entrance to the hall - at the Royal Court of king Parakramabahu

Stone carvings on the pillers of the hall

Carvings on the side of the platform - at the Royal Court of king Parakramabahu

References

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)
Paranavitana, S. (1950). Guide to Polonnaruwa (3rd ed.). Government Press. (Original work published 1948)
Prematilleke, L. (1990). The Architecture of the Polonnaruwa Period, 800 B.C. — 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.

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Map of Council Chambers of King Parakramabahu I

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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.