Image title: Nissankalata Mandapa (detail)

This photograph shows the Nissankalata Mandapa pillared structure as mentioned by inscriptions. The unusual pillar type stimulates a lotus stalk with flower as the capital. Another inscription confirms that it is here that King Nissankamalla (1187 - 1196 A.D.) listened to Pirith, recital of Buddhist scriptures. In the center is a smail stone-cut stupa, having truncated top perhaps to receive the relic casket during pirith chanting. This was probably covered with a roof. Pillars of similar design are also found in a building near Satmahal Prasada.

Note: Pirith or Pirit is the Sinhala word for paritta in Pali and refers to the chanting of “protective religious texts”.

For more details, see previous photo.

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.