The ruined edifice situated near the Audience Hall of Nissankamalla in the Ancient City of Polonnaruwa, Sri Lanka is popularly called by the locals as Dhavalagaraya (lit: White Edifice; Sinhala: ධවලාඝරය, පොළොන්නරුව) or the Mausoleum (Wikramagamage, 2004).
History
This monument has not yet been properly identified (Wikramagamage, 2004). Some believe that this is the Dhavalaghara built by King Parakramabahu I (1153-1186 A.D.). In the Sinhala language, the word Dhavala means white and the Ghara means the house/edifice. Remains of the original white colour lime plaster on the exterior walls of this edifice could have caused such interpretation.
Another opinion identifies this edifice as a mausoleum of a member of royalty. However, some have interpreted this building as the symbol of Mahameru, the central mountain of the universe.
Another opinion identifies this edifice as a mausoleum of a member of royalty. However, some have interpreted this building as the symbol of Mahameru, the central mountain of the universe.
The building
The present remains indicate that this brick-built building was a storied edifice with a cruciform ground plan. The building has no signs of windows and the walls still preserve some red, blue and white colour fragments of the original plaster. (Wikramagamage, 2004).
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Attribution
1) Dawalagaraya by Mresh92 is licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0
References
1) Wikramagamage, C., 2004. Heritage of Rajarata: Major natural, cultural and historic sites. Colombo. Central Bank of Sri Lanka. p.205.
Location Map
This page was last updated on 14 November 2022
