Image title: Bodhighara (Bodhigharaya)

This photograph shows the Bodhighara (Bodhigharaya) as part of the elevated terrace known as Dalada Maluva (the Sacred Quadrangle). It is known as such because the Temple of the Tooth was located here. Buildings on this Quadrangle were either shrines for the tooth-relic or connected with its worship.

Note: The Bodhigharaya refers to a a Buddhist structure built around the sacred fig tree—Ficus religiosa.

The Bodhigharaya is also known as:

Sinhalese:
බෝධිඝරය
bōdhigharaya

Tamil:
போதி அரண்
pōti araṇ
pothi aran

For more details and text, 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.