Your base for exploring this tourist attraction is the ancient city of Polonnaruwa, Sri Lanka. For tourist information about Polonnaruwa, go to Polonnaruwa Travel Guide. To prepare for a trip to Sri Lanka, read also the Sri Lanka Travel Guide. Looking for budget accommodation there? Use AsiaExplorers Budget Accommodation Guide, the no-frills website to cover your budget accommodation needs.
The South Indian invasion of Polonnaruwa during the 10th century resulted in some Hindu ruins. There are a total of 14 Hindu shrines in ancient Polonnaruwa today, of which the Shiva Devale is one of the best restored. The Shiva Devale was built by the Chola rulers of Polonnaruwa, and contains the male lingam and female yoni, Hindu icons representative of the male and female reproductive organs.
The temple bears sign that it has been restored by anastylosis, a method of restoration which was also employed in Angkor and Borobudur, in which the stones are carefully dismantled, and then reassembled. Missing pieces are replaced with similar stones only for the purpose of maintaining the structure from falling apart.
The Shiva Devale.
The stones of the temples are numbered, a sign that they were restored by anastylosis. (left)
Another view of the Shiva Devale temple. (right)
Polonnaruwa Travel Guide
Explore the places of interest in Polonnaruwa. Click to view list.
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