Thuparamaya

                                 Thuparamaya

                                 

• This is one of the oldest buildings found in Polonnaruwa   but is  well preserved .Considered as the ‘Prathima Ghara ” of the Dlada Maluwa ,  it is of very high artistic value. Although it is considered to be  a work of King Parakramabahu, the Great ,  there are some historians and archaeologist who  ascribe it to King Vijayabahu i. Chulawamsa also says  that  it was built during a period  prior to Praktrama bahu the Great.
  This is considered a Gedige. What is of special note in regard to a Gedige buildings is the fact that the entire building including the roof is constructed  by  brick only.  Of course there are some made out of rubble as well as brick.  But mainly Gediges are made of one material only.  There are two of such ‘Gediges” in Polonnaruwa -Thiwanka and Lanka Thilaka . They are some times referred to as ‘Prathima Ghara ’ as well (Prathima Ghra’ means an ‘Image House’.) The roof of Thuparama is pyramidical from inside but it is of a rectangular shape outside.  The architecture of Thuparama is a combination of the architectural styles of   Hindus, Mauryas of North India  and  Sri Lanka.