Thivanka Pilimage at Polonnaruwa

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Thivanka Pilimage (Image House)
Photo By : Denis A.

The Thivanka Pilimage is a 12th-century masterpiece in Polonnaruwa, famous for its colossal Buddha statue curved in three places (Thivanka). The interior walls are adorned with the island’s finest Polonnaruwa-era murals, depicting Jataka tales and celestial journeys.

Thivanka Pilimage was constructed by King Parakramabahu I (1153–1186 CE) as part of the Jetavanarama complex. The principal Buddha image is uniquely curved at the knees, waist, and shoulders, giving rise to the name Thivanka, meaning “three bends.” As with most monuments of this period, both the structure and the statue were built entirely of brick.

Paintings and Sculptural Decorations

The Thivanka Pilimage is especially important as the only image house in Polonnaruwa that still preserves the majority of its original wall paintings. The exterior walls once carried decorative motifs, while the interior walls of the entrance porch and the mandapa were painted with Jataka stories. The walls are further enriched with high-relief stucco figures of dwarfs (Gana), Devas, other mythological beings, and vimana designs. Although some damage is evident, many of these features have survived nearly a thousand years of exposure.

Dimensions and interior features

The Buddha statue originally measured about 8 meters (approximately 26.2 feet) in height, though the portion above the head has since been destroyed, leaving the present height at about 6.6 meters (approximately 21.7 feet). The building itself is about 40.5 meters (133 feet) long and 20.6 meters (67.6 feet) wide. Its walls, ranging from roughly 2.1 to 3.7 meters (7–12 feet) in thickness, significantly reduce the internal space.

Frescoes and access

Inside, the walls are adorned with frescoes illustrating episodes from the Jataka tales, painted almost a millennium ago. While much of the masonry has deteriorated, the vivid colours remain visible wherever the surface survives. The entrance is marked by two guardstones and a pair of stone-carved Korawak Gala (balustrades).

Conservation status

External restoration of the Thivanka Pilimage has progressed extremely slowly over the past 25 years, during which time the structure has remained largely concealed behind protective shuttering.

Alternative names: Thivanka Pilima Ge, Thivanka Pilimage, Tivanka Pilima Ge, Tivanka Pilimage, Thiwanka Pilima Ge, Thiwanka Pilimage

Remains of the massive image of Buddha at the Thivanka Pilimage

Guardstone at the entrance to Thivanka Pilimage

Remains Jataka paintings inside the Thivanka Pilimage

Terracotta tiles on the walls of the Thivanka Pilimage

Remains of a statue at the entrance to the Thivanka Pilimage

References

Prematilleke, 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 : Achitechture (1st ed., Vols. 3–4, pp. 35–70). Department of Archaeology, Sri Lanka.
Paranavitana, S. (1950). Guide to Polonnaruwa (3rd ed.). Government Press. (Original work published 1948)

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Map of Thivanka Pilimage at Ancient Capital of Polonnaruwa

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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.