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The Thuparama Image House at the ancient capital of Polonnaruwa is one of the few buildings where you can see a roof completely made out of bricks. These types of buildings are called “Gedige” (vaulted roof) type and almost the whole building including the roof has survived over 900 years miraculously. According to Paranavithana, this is the best preserved example of Gedi-ge buildings country. The roof is a semi-cylindrical in shape.
There are 3 Gedige type buildings in the old city of Polonnaruwa. The other 2 are Lankathilaka Image house and the Thivanka PilimaGe. These buildings with vaulted roofs seems have been ornamented with mezzo relief of Ganas, facades of buildings (Vimana), pilasters and figures of deities, and interior walls painted with Jataka stories. With the level of preservation at the Thivanka PilimaGe, this architecture is quite clear.
The original name of this image house is not known; therefore the builder of this is also unknown. It is thought that this was built by a minister of King Parakramabahu (1153-1186) called Mahinda to house the tooth relic. Another belief is that this was built by king Vijayabahu I (1070-1110).
The walls of this building are about 7 feet (2 meters) thick thus the interior of the shrine is small in comparison to the outward size of the building. A large seating Buddha statue has been placed inside the building. Nothings remain of this statue today. It is said that the eyes of this Buddha statue was embedded with precious stones and the windows were designed in such a manner the sunlight would reflect on these stones and light the image house.
Source : Sinhalese Monastic Architecture: The Viháras of Anurádhapura
References
- Paranavitana, S., 1950. Guide to Polonnaruva. Colombo: Government Press.
Also See
Photos before restoration from www.imagesofceylon.com
Map of Thuparama Image House at 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
The modern town of Polonnaruwa is also known as New Town, and the other part of Polonnaruwa remains as the royal ancient city of the Kingdom of Polonnaruwa.
| Route from Colombo to Polonnaruwa Sacred City | Route from Kandy to Polonnaruwa Sacred City |
| Though : Central Highway – Kurunegala – Dambulla Distance from Colombo :226 km Travel time : 4.45 hours Driving directions : see on google map | Through : Matale – Dambulla – Habarana Distance from Colombo : 145 km Travel time : 3.0 hours Driving Directions : see on google maps |
| Route from Anuradhapura to Polonnaruwa Sacred City | Route from Batticaloa to Polonnaruwa Sacred City |
| Though : Maradankadawala – Habarana Distance from colombo : 105 km Travel time : 2 hours Driving directions : see on google map | Though : Chenkaladi – Valachchena Distance from colombo :100 km Travel time : 1.5 hours Driving directions : see on google map |
