Dhavalagaraya (Polonnaruwa)
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) Dhawalaghara, Dawalagaraya . 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.
The building
The present remains indicate that this brick-built building was a storied edifice with a cruciform ground plan. The buil…
