Introduction
This is the vaulted type (gedige) image house built by king Parakramabahu the Great
(1153 – 1186 A.D.) and it is the largest image house built in ancient Sri Lanka.
The two pylons at the entrance and the giant standing Buddha image inside signify
its scale. There is evidence that the interior and exterior walls had been adorned
with paintings. The stucco relief sculpture on the exterior walls show south Indian
influence. Obvious indications are there that this image house had been renovated
during the Dambadeniya period (13th century A.D.) The Building with stone pillars
in front of the image house may have been a pavilion for hevisi drummers.
Key
- Porch
- Vestibule
- Secondary entrance
- stairway
- Entresol
- circumambulating Passage
- Sanctum
- Standing Buddha Image
|