Thuparama Image House of Polonnaruwa

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As one of the most intact brick shrines in the city, the Thuparama offers a rare chance for visitors to experience the internal environment of a 12th-century Buddhist temple. Although the primary brick Buddha statue has been lost, the well-preserved exterior and the limestone statues remain as evidence of the splendor of the Polonnaruwa era.

Within the ancient city of Polonnaruwa, three prominent examples of the Gedige architectural style remain. Alongside the Thuparama Image House, the other two significant structures are the Lankathilaka Image House and the Thivanka Pilima-Ge.

The Thuparama Image House in Polonnaruwa stands as a rare instance of a building featuring a roof constructed entirely of bricks. It is widely acknowledged as the finest surviving example of a brick-built vaulted image house, or Gedige. Remarkably, almost the entire structure, including the roof, has endured for over nine centuries.

Royal Patronage

The history and original name of the Thuparama are still shrouded in mystery, as no definitive records exist in the primary ancient chronicles. Most historical and architectural evaluations credit its construction to the reign of King Parakramabahu the Great, who ruled from 1153 to 1186 AD (Wijesekera, 1962). Some historians, including Paranavitana and Hocart, believe that the building may have been commissioned by one of the king’s courtiers (Prematilleke, 2007).

Architecture and Design

A conjectural construction of the Thuparama Image House
Source : Sinhalese Monastic Architecture: The Viháras of Anurádhapura

The Thuparama serves as a primary example of the Gedige style, also referred to as Ginjakavasatha. This architectural method is defined by its massive vaulted roof and a construction composed entirely of brick.

Structural Layout: The edifice is organized into four sections: the inner sanctum or Garbhagrha, the vestibule known as the Antarala, the Mandapa or hall, and the entrance porch.
Vimanas: The exterior walls are decorated with low-relief representations of miniature shrines or vimanas, which house figures of deities.
Dimensions: The entire edifice measures approximately 38.4 meters (126 feet) in length (Prematilleke, 1990). The walls are exceptionally thick, measuring between 1.52 to 2.13 meters (5 to 7 feet) (Burrows, 1885/1894). These massive walls result in interior chambers that feel narrow and dim when contrasted with the large external scale of the building.
Access to the Upper Level: Located within a recess on the southern side of the entrance arch are the remnants of a narrow brick staircase. This allowed devotees to reach the flat roof, which functioned as an ambulatory path for circumambulating the central tower.
Cultural and Religious Influence: Although it is a Buddhist shrine, the Thuparama displays prominent South Indian Dravidian influences in its ornamentation and design. Several elements share closer similarities with Saivite or Hindu shrines than with traditional Sinhalese Patimagharas. (Burrows, 1885/1894; Prematilleke, 2007)

The Buddha Statues

The Thuparama was originally constructed to accommodate a massive seated Buddha statue. Unfortunately, by the time of its archaeological excavation, this primary image had disintegrated to the point of being unrecognizable.

Throughout the restoration process, eight limestone statues were salvaged, consisting of four standing and four seated figures. These have since been arranged on pedestals along the front and side walls of the interior. The style of these limestone images aligns with the earlier Anuradhapura tradition, which indicates that they might have been relocated from older, decaying shrines to be housed within the newly established capital of Polonnaruwa.

an ancient Buddha Image inside the Image House

Ancient Buddha Images inside the Thuparama Image House

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)
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.
Wikramagamage, C. (2004). Heritage of Rajarata: Major Natural, Cultural and Historic Sites (1st ed.). Rajarata Development Bank and Central Bank of Sri Lanka.

Also See

Photos before restoration from www.imagesofceylon.com

Thuparama Image House in late 1800's or early 1900's

Map of Thuparama Image House at 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.