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Sri Lanka Raja Vaishyabhuganga-5

Polonnaruwa: Raja Vaishyabhuganga (Council Chamber)

The Council Chamber, or Raja Vaishyabhuganga, was where the king met with his ministers and officials. The wooden roof has long disappeared, but the elaborate base and carved pillars survive. Friezes of elephants, lions and dwarfs cover the base.  Steps are embellished with makara (these look like mythical dragons) balustrades, a pair of moonstones and […]

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Remnants of an ancient grand palace

Polonnaruwa: Vijayanta Prasada

Vijayanta Prasada is the first ruins after entering the grounds. This was the royal palace, built by King Parakramabahu I in the 12th Century. In its heyday, the palace stood seven stories tall and contained 1,000 rooms. Construction took a little over seven years. It was destroyed by South Indian invaders in the 13th century. Burned bricks […]

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