The Sri Lanka circuit (The morning of Day 3 - 2nd Part) - Polonnaruwa -The 7th of December 2011.

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There are 14 Hindu shrines within the Polonnaruwa citadel, all of which said to have been built during the Chola ruling. Of those Siva Devale No.1, though structurally diffe
rent from the standard Siva shrines is considered to be one of the finest, with a male lingam and a female yoni.

The Vatadage or Circular Relic House, which dates from the 7th century and was part of a Monastery has a stupa in the centre with four Buddha images each of which faces the principal directions.

The Thuparama meant for a colossal seated  Buddha of stucco and brick is vaulted in its interior and is considered the best preserved vaulting structure of that epoch.

 

Inside its shrine one could see three limestone sculpted Buddahs dating back to the 7th century, the largest of which have been considered the finest in the class o fearly marble sculpting.

Visibly malnurished stray dogs were to be seen lying about almost everywhere within the huge site, which was an "impressive" sight on its own, together with quite a few macaques energetically jumping or playing around ...

 

The Lata Mandapa, an elaborate stupa house acknowledged as the rococo of Sir Lanka because of the flamboyant upper part is said to have been used to exhibit the relics os special worshipping occasions during the 12th century.

(To be continued)