Thivanka Pilimage (Image House) – තිවංක පිලිම ගෙය

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Thivanka Image House – before restoration – photo taken on late 1800′s or early 1900′s

Thivanka Pilimage had been built by King Parakramabahu (1153-1186) as part of the Jethavanarama Complex. Since the large image of Buddha has been curved in 3 places, this has been given the name “Thivanka” which literally means three curves. As most other structures of this era,  this is too built with bricks including the statue.

The Buddha statue at the Thivanka Pilimage is about 8 meters in height but today the part of the statue above the head has been destroyed. The statue as at today is 6.6 metres tall. The building is 133 feet long and 67.6” feet wide. The walls are 7-12 feet thick making the internal size of the building much smaller.

The inside walls of the buildings has been decorated with frescoes showing the Jataka Stories (prior births of Buddha before enlightenment) although most of the masonry has been destroyed, the colorful drawings can be still seen on the areas where masonry is intact. The entrance to the building consists of two guard stones and two “Korawak Gala”

The outer restoration of the this image house has been carried out at a snail pace for the last 15 years and has been covered with shuttering though out the this period.

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

Guardstone at the entrance to Thivanka Pilimage

Remains Jataka paintings inside the Thivanka Pilimage

Remains Jataka paintings inside the Thivanka Pilimage

Remains Jataka paintings inside the Thivanka Pilimage

Remains of a statue at the entrance to the Thivanka Pilimage

Terracotta tiles on the walls of the Thivanka Pilimage

Also See

• The Ancient Capital of Polonnaruwa
• Anuradhapura – The city of the God King
• Ancient Heritage Sites of Sri Lanka
• Other Places of Interest Within Close Proximity

Map of  Thivanka Pilimage at Ancient Capital of  Polonnaruwa

The map above also shows other places of interest within a approximately 20 km radius of the current site. Click on any of the markers and the info box to take you to information of these sites.

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Driving Directions to Polonnaruwa Sacred City