Pothgul Vehera (Polonnaruwa)

Pothgul Vehera (Polonnaruwa)
Pothgul Vehera (Sinhala: පොළොන්නරුව පොත්ගුල් වෙහෙර) is a ruined shrine complex situated at the southern end of the  Ancient City of Polonnaruwa , Sri Lanka.  History Pothgul Vehera is thought to be a modern name. The ancient name or the builder of this shrine is not certainly known. But some have suggested that it could be either the Kapila Vihara or Mandala Mandira built by King Parakramabahu I [(1153-1186 A.D.) Wikramagamage, 2004]. A Pali inscription discovered on the door-frame of the building reveals that this shrine was renovated by Rajani Chandavathi, the second chief queen of Parakramabahu I (Ranawella, 2007; Wikramagamage, 2004).  Pothgul Vehera pillar inscription of Chandrawathi The inscription says that the overlord of Lanka (probably King Parakramabahu I) built the entire Vihara at first and his queen (probably Queen Lilavati) rebuilt it later (Ranawella, 2007). Chandavathi, the second chief queen of that very king built a pavilion at this place (Ranawella, 2007).  According t…