Image title: Polonnaruwa Royal Palace (detail)

Detail shot of the Royal Palace of Polonnaruva, one of the most ancient kingdoms of Sri Lanka. This is the seven storied Palace named Vijayotpaya or Vijavanta Prasada buit by King Parakramabahu the Great (1153-1186 A. D). Remains of three stories of the supposed seven stories can still be identified. Crevises and sockets on the thick brick walls were to take in large wooden beams. There is evidence that this palace may have been destroyed by fire. Mahavamsa mentions that this had thousand chambers. Around the palace, ruins of many buildings are seen which may have been used as places for rituals and entertainment, and as rooms for palace aides and storage.

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Gallery information:

These photographs were taken at the Polonnaruwa archaeological site which preserve some of the monuments and religious structures of the ancient kingdom of Polonnaruwa (also Pulathisipura or Vijayarajapura) of Sri Lanka dating to the 10th century CE. Some of the important kings who reigned in this kingdom are King Vijayabahu I and his grandson, king Prakramabahu the Great. The city and it's architecture were influenced by various religious such as Hinduism in its early history, Shaivism and later Buddhism.