ARCHITECTURE IN SRI LANKA 3

rd
Century B.C.
to present day
GEOGRAPHICAL Sri Lanka or Ceylon, is a large island in the Indian
ocean 32 km (20 miles) off the southern tip of the Indian ocean 32
km (20 miles) off the southern tip of the Indian Peninsula. Ceylon
has been a centre of international trade, due to its strategic
position on the West-to-East sea routes and its fine natural
harbours.
GEOLOGICAL Granite, limestone, laterite and sandstone; clay for
bricks, roof tiles and pottery, widely used in the wet districts
which also encourage the quick growth of soft and hard timber,
bamboo grasses for the thatch and mats, coconut trees, the wood
of which is used for posts and roofs the leaves for thatch and
decoration. The topography was utilized in the past to enhance
architectural effects; tanks were built around rock outcrops, and
cities, palaces and temples were constructed on hills and high
rocks.
CLIMATIC Ceylon is divided into three climatic zones, which have
given rise to special building characteristics a dry hot zone, mainly
in the north and east, where in the early civilization vast irrigation
tanks were built to conserve rain water; a central wet region, cool
and invigorating and low-lying hot wet zone in the south and
south west.
SOCIAL AND HISTORICAL The recorded history of Ceylon covers
about 2,500 yrs. For the most of which there is a continuous
stream of evidence from both native and foreign sources. There
were three significant periods in the development of the islands
cultural and political life.
THREE HISTORICAL PERIOD IN SRI LANKA
A. The Anuradhapura period (4
th
century b.c. to 10
th
century a.d
B. The Polonnnaruwa period (11
th
-13
th
century).
C. The Kandyan period (15
th
-19
th
century)
ARCHITECTURAL CHARACTER
In Ceylon, architectural history begins with the introduction of
Buddhism from India in the 3
rd
century B.C. when durable
buildings in brick and stone appeared as opposed to perishable
wood.
Anuradhapura Period
The earliest remains are the natural rock chambers, built for the
hermits, with drip-ledges to carry away rain water. Later these
were developed with walls to for an enclosure(rock temples).
Anuradhapura
Anuradhapura was the first capital of the ancient kingdom of Sri
Lanka for some 1400 years until the 10 century AD. The great
chronicle Mahavamsa attests that the city was founded by King
Pandukabhaya in 380 BC.


Polonnaruwa Period
The outstanding architectural creation was a cetiya-ghara, the
WATA-da-ge(circular relic house), built in stone and brick. The
polonnaruwa example is exquisitely proportioned.
Polonnaruwa
The second most ancient of Sri Lanka's kingdoms, Polonnaruwa
was first declared the capital city by King Vijayabahu I, who
defeated the Cholainvaders in 1070 to reunite the country once
more under a local leader.
Kandya Period
In its typical form the Kandya style is an architecture of wood,
catering to needs of a simple but well-to-do agricultural
civilization. The anuradhapura framed structure of pillars and
beams is continued but in timber, richly carved with the
traditional motifs.
Cinnamon Citadel, Kandy
Located in the hill capital of Sri Lanka Kandy is renowned to be
one of the most scenic cities in Sri Lanka. Surrounded by sweeping
green hills, misty mornings bordered by the longest river in the
country, Cinnamon Citadel Kandy is a beautiful resort ideal for
relaxation and reflects this rich history and majesty.
ARCHITECTURE IN SRI
LANKA
Dambulla Cave Temples
also known as the Golden Temple of
Dambulla is a World Heritage Site
(1991) in Sri Lanka, situated in the
central part of the country.
"Cave of the Divine King"
The first cave is called Devaraja
lena (lena in sinhalese meaning cave),
or "Cave of the Divine King."
"Cave of the Great Kings"
responsible in the 12th century for the
gilding of 50 statues, as indicated by a
stone inscription near the monastery
entrance. This cave is accordingly
called Maharaja lena, "Cave of the
Great Kings."
Great New Monastery
the famous Buddhist revivalist. In
addition to the 50 Buddha statues,
there is also a statue of the king.
VATADAGE
The vatadage is considered to be one
of ancient Sri Lanka's most prolific architectura
l creations; this design represented a
changing perspective of stupa design
independently within the island.
Dambulla Golden Temple





STUPAS
Basically, a stupa has several salient features. Buddhist
Literature mentions six types of stupas differing according to the
shape of the dome or body of a dagaba.
Dhanyakara - Heap of paddy shape3
Ghantakara - Bell shape
Bubbulakara - Bubble shape
Ghatakara - Pot shape
Padmakara - Lotus shpae
Amlakara - Shape of Nelli fruit
Another type of stupa is mentioned in the book "Manju Sri Vasthu
Vidya Shastra
Palandawakara - Shape of an onion
Ruwanwelisaya
The Ruwanwelisaya is a stupa in Sri Lanka, considered a marvel
for its architectural qualities and sacred to many Buddhists all
over the world.




Thuparamaya
Thuparamaya is a dagoba in Anuradhapura, Sri Lanka. It is
a Buddhist sacred place of veneration. This is considered the
earliest monument, the construction of which was chronicled Sri
Lanka. The name Thuparamaya comes from "stupa" and
"aramaya" which is a residential complex for monks.




Ridi Viharaya
Ridi Viharaya or Silver Temple is a
2nd-century
BCE Theravada Buddhist temple in
the village of Ridigama, Sri Lanka.
Lovamahapaya
is a building situated between
Ruvanveliseya and Sri
Mahabodiya in the ancient city
of Anuradhapura, Sri Lanka. It
is also known as the Brazen
Palace or Lohaprasadaya
because the roof was covered
with bronze tiles.
Abhayagiri Vihra
was a major monastery site
of Theravada Buddhism that was
situated in Anuradhapura, Sri Lanka.
Jetavanaramaya
The structure is significant in the
island's history for it represents the
tensions within
the Theravada and Mahayana sects
of Buddhist monks, it is also
significant in world history as one of
the tallest structures in the ancient
world.
Polonnaruwa ruins

Lankatilaka Temple


Thuparama


Satmahal Prasada

Kiri Vihara