ISLAMIC OR SARACENIC ARCHITECTURE: 7 TH CENTURY GREAT MOSQUE

ARCHITECTURE: 7 TH CENTURY
OF MECCA
/ AL-MASJID AL-ḤARĀM
ARCHITECTUAL CHARACTER : “SOBER AND
GROTESQUE
-LARGEST MOSQUE IN THE WORLD AND SURROUNDS THE
DISTINGUISHED ISLAM’S HOLIEST PLACE. THE “KAABA”
FEATURES:
-CURRENT: 400,800 SQM
A. THE USE OF -CAN ACCOMMODATE 4M PEOPLE DURING THE “HAJJ”
“HORSESHOE
ARCH” -HAVING 9 MINARETS, EACH 89 METERS HIGH

B. TUNNEL OF KA’ABA
STONES & BRICKS
- “HOUSE OF GOD”
C. RICH SURFACE OF
DECORATION IN -SMALL CUBICAL STONE BUILDING IN THE COURTYARD OF
CARVED STONE, THE GREAT MOSQUE IN MECCA
MOSAIC AND - CONTAINS A SACRED BLACK STONE
PAINTING
PARTS OF KAABA
D. CEILING DOME
-YEMENI CORNER-(KUKN-E-YEMENI)
E. MINARETS - FACES YEMEN
-SYRIAN CORNER -(KUKN-E-SHAMI)
DIAGRAM OF A MOSQUE - FACES SYRIA
-IRAQI CORNER-(KUNK-E-IRAQI)
HAREM- women are seperated from men in the mosque - FACES IRAQ

MINARET- from the top of the tower the prayer call is - 60 FEET HIGH
sounded. -60 FEET LEGHT
SHAAZARWAN- FOUNDATION WALL OF THE KA’ABA
MUEZZIN- person chants the prayer 5 times a day. -SHAZARWAN- BUTTRESS ON THE EAST AND
SOUTH WALLS.
FAWWARA/ MEDA- each mosque has an area with water
accessibility where obligatory ritual THE BLACK STONE- FIXED IN A SILVER BRACKETIS PLACED ON
washing takes placebefore prayer. THE LEFT CORNEROF THE WALL OF THE
IMAM- head of the mosque who leads congregational prayer. KA’ABA. PROPHET MOHAMMAD KISSED
THE STONE ACCORDING TO ISLAMIC
MINBAR- pulpit fom which an imam or political leader issues TRADITION.
sermoneach Friday.
KA’ABA’S DOOR- THE GOLDEN DOOR
QUIBLA- a niche of openings in the wall that indicate the - IT USUALLY CLOSED
direction.
CONGREGATIONAL PRAYER- muslims line up in town MAQAM-E-IBRAHIM- NORTH EAST SIDE OF THE KAABA
towards the direction of mecca found - A SMALL KLOSK OF GLASS AND
near the minbar METAL TOPPED BY A SMALL DOME.

ISMAIL’S STONE- OPPOSITE THE NORTH-WEST WALL OF THE

DOME OF THE ROCK, JERUSALEM KA’ABA BUT NOT JOINED TO IT.
-SEMI CIRCULAR WALL WITH 5FEET HIGH
- THE OLDEST ISLAM MONUMENT AND 3 FEET THICK
“MUQARNAS” DOMES

- INFLUENCED BY BYZANTINE ARCHITECTURE. GREAT MOSQUE OF DAMASCUS (UMAYYAD

MOSQUE)
-USED AS A SHRINE FOR PILGRIMS, AT ITS CENTER IS THE
SACRED ROCK
- OLDEST SURVIVING STONE MOSQUE
FROM WHICH MUHAMMAD IS SAID TO HAVE
ASCENDED TO HEAVEN ISLAMIC OR SARACENIC
-MARBLE GRILLES ON WINDOWS, EARLIEST
EXAMPLE OF GEOMETRIC INTERLACE IN ISLAMIC
ARCHITECTURE INTERIOR IS COVERED IN MOSAIC
MOORISH ARCHITECTURE:
• -711 CE – The Umayyad Caliphate Crosses the Straight of
Gibraltar and quickly takes control of the region,
naming it Al-Andalus
• 11th Century – The Umayyad Caliphate rules Al-Andalus
until the early 11th century, as the Umayyad
Caliphate, Emirate of Córdoba, and
Caliphate of Córdoba
• 11-12th Century – The Almoravid Dynasty takes control of
Al-Andalus and rules from their capital in
North Africa
• 12-13th Century – The Almoravid Dynasty is taken over by
the Almohad, who again control
Al-Andalus from North Africa.
• 13-15th Century – Eventually the movement known as the
Reconquista pushes Moorish control back
to the southern fringes of the Iberian
Peninsula. The Final Islamic stronghold is
the Emirate of Granada, which was
defeated in 1492.z
▪ -ISLAMIC ARCHITECTURE OF NORTH AFRICA
(REGIONS OF SPAIN UNDER MOORISH DOMINATION)
TAJ MAHAL
▪ BUILT BY SHAH JAHAN AS TOMB FOR MUMTAZ MAHAL
“CROWN PALACE”
▪ THE MARBLE FAÇADE IS DECORATED WITH FLORAL MOTIFS
AND A TYPE OF INLAY CALLED PIETRA DURA (USING VUT,
FITTED STONES TO CREATE IMAGES)
▪ PLACED ON CHAHAR BAGH, A PLATFORM AT THE END OF A
WALLED GARDEN DIVIDED BY CANALS MUGHAL
ARCHITECTURE:
▪ -MUGHAL GARDENS
▪ Mughal Gardens are a type of garden built by Mughals
based on a Persian type of architecture,they are an example
of landscape horticulture. Many mughal gardens use lots of
rectangular and square shaped layouts which are made inside
walled areas.Some of the decorations in a mughal gardens
include a pool, a fountain,and canals inside the gardens. The
first types of mughal gardens were called Agra gardens.

▪ -BUILDING OF LARGE MOSQUES AND ELABORATED

FORTRESS - PALACES INDIAN ARCHITECTURE
▪ -STRUCTURAL SYSTEMS AND DECORATIONS ADAPTEDFROM
CLASSICAL ANTIQUITY AND COMBINED WITH ISLAMIC INTRODUCTION
ARCHITECTURE
• The Architecture of India includes present day, INDIA,
MOORISH ARCHITECTURE: PAKISTAN, BANGLADESH & SRI LANKA
▪ elaborate ornamentation
▪ arches, • DIVERSITY of the Indian culture is
▪ honeycombed vaults represented in its architecture
▪ colorful tile work.
INDIAN ARCHITECTURE
▪ CHARACTERISTICS
▪ Alhambra Palace and Fortress, GRANADA SPAIN • HINDUISM –-COMBINATION OF FAITHS OF ARYAN AND
▪ GREAT MOSQUE OF CORDOBAz DRAVIDIANS
• JAIN
MUGHAL ARCHITECTURE: –- MAHAVEER OR VADHAMAN (BRAHMAN)
–-”NIRVANA” -COMPLETE STATE OF HAPPINESS
BUILDING STYLE THAT FLOURISHED IN NORTHERN AND
CENTRAL INDIA UNDER THE PATRONAGE OF THE • BUDDHIST – SIDDHARTA GAUTAMA “ULTIMATE NIRVANA”
MUGHAL EMPERORS FROM THE MID-16TH TO THE LATE 2022
17TH CENTURY. THE MUGHAL PERIOD MARKED A STRIKING
REVIVAL OF ISLAMIC ARCHITECTURE IN NORTHERN INDIA. INDUS VALLEY (3,000 BC)

▪ REACHED ITS ZENITH DURING THE REIGN OF THE • HARAPPA & MOHENJO DARO
EMPEROR SHAH JAHĀN • Variety of house types many of which had “private baths”
connected to the drainage systems
CHARACTERISTICS OF
HUMAYUNS TOMB,INDIA WHY IS IT UNIQUE?
• ARCH
▪ INCLUDES PERFECT OR NEAR PERFECT RADIAL OR • WELL PLANED CITIES AND HOUSES
BILATERAL SYMMETRY, RED SANDSTONE WITH WHITE • DRAINAGE SYSTEMS 2022
MARBLE INLAYS, LATER PURE WHITE MARBLE SURFACES,
GEOMETRIC ORNAMENT, DOMES WHICH ARE SLIGHTLY INDUS VALLEY (3,000 BC)
POINTED INSTEAD OF HEMISPHERICAL ONES AND
GARDEN SURROUNDINGS. -Agriculture was their main economic activity.
-They had irrigation systems.
-They had pottery and jewelry making.
-Houses were made of clay bricks.
-Their leaders were priest-kings
-Their religion was animism and polytheism. They
worshipped many gods some of which were animals like
the very revered bull.
-THE GREAT BATH
-PUBLIC WELL HARAPPA
-THE ASSEMBLY HALL
-DRAIN HARAPPA
INDIAN ARCHITECTURE STYLES
INDIAN ARCHITECTURE
• SIKHARAS (Sanskrit: “mountain peak”
• “North Indian temple architecture”
- These are the peaks of the towers rising from the
core of Hindu Temple.
- These towers are always extravagantly decorated.
- They vary in shape throughout the country
THREE kinds of Shikharas
(1) LATINA / “REKHA PRASAD”
• It has a square base.
• It is the simple and the most common type.
• Mostly used for Garbhagriha.
(2) PHAMSANA
• It has a broader base.
• Shorter in height than the Latina
• Mostly used for Mandapa
(3) VALABHI
• It has a rectangular base.
• Roof that rises into a vaulted chambers.
• Known as wagon vaulted buildings
NAGARA TEMPLE STYLE (NORTHERN
INDIA)
• The entire temple is built on high stone platforms.
• Generally, they do not have large enclosures and
entrances.
• The temple had only one peak or shikhara above the
Garbagriha.
• There was a Kalasha placed on the Shikara of a temple.
• In front of the main shrine, there are meeting halls
called mandapas.
• Sikhara (the tower) slowly bending inwards and
capped by a spheroid plate with ribs around the edge
(Amalaka) give the height.
DRAVIDIAN TEMPLE STYLE (SOUTHERN INDIA)
Enclosed within a compound wall.
• Gopuram on the front wall.
• Like a stepped pyramid that rises up geometrically rather
than the curving shikhara of North India.
• In the South Indian temple, the word ‘shikhara’ is used only
for the crowning element at the top of the temple this is
equivalent to the
amalak and kalasha of North Indian temples.
• Fierce Dvarapalas or the door-keepers guarding the temple
adorn the entrance to garbhagriha
• Common to find a large water reservoir, or a temple tank,
enclosed within the complex.
• Garbhagriha is situated has, in fact, one of the smallest
towers. This is because it is usually the oldest part of the
temple
• STAMBHA OR LATS
• Indian Columns with carved inscriptions.
• Figures of animals represents
guardians of four quarters of universe.
• ELEPHANT
• BULL
• HORSE
• LION
• ASHOKA PILLARS
• PILLAR AT SARNATH (15MTS HIGH
• SUPPORTS A META.L WHEEL WITH 24 SPOKES
• CAPITAL (MORE THAN 2M HIGH) – SHAPE OF
ANINVERTED BELL / LOTUS BUB WITH FLUTED PETALS
• ABOVE THE CAPITAL (ABACUS)
• STUPAS
• The stupa is a shrine that represents the sacred Mount
Meru, as well as providing a sanctuary for relics of the
Buddha.
• They have four ceremonial gates to the shrine.
• Mostly a Buddhist art, though Jains also seemed to have
built stupas
• TORANA = GATEWAY
• VEDIKA = BALUSTRADE
• MEDHI = PEDESTIAN PATH
• HARMIKA = DECORATIVE BALCONY
• ANDA = DOME
• CHATTRA / CHHATRI = TOPMOST PART SHAPED LIKE AN
UMBRELLA
• PRADAKSHINA = UPPER LEVEL WALKWAY
PAKISTAN AND AFGHANISTAN
ARCHITECTURE
The Architecture of Pakistan reflects the cultural diversity and
contrast the country has experienced through the ages.
• The rich past is depicted in the wide range of architectural
buildings which utilize a unique blend of artistic inspiration,
design, materials, craftmanship and construction.
• Intertwined with the architecture of broader Indian
Subcontinent.
HARAPPAN ARCHITECTURE
-LAYOUT IN GRID SYSTEMS.
-CITADELS
-LARGE POOLS FOR RITUAL BATHING, GRANARIES, COMPLEX
SYSTEM OF COVERED
DRAINS AND SEWERS.
• GANDHARA CIVILIZATION (1 B.C – 11TH CENTURY A.D)
. RULED HIS GRANDSON, ASHOKA, TWICE AS
• AN ANCIENT KINGDOM LOCATED IN NORTHERN
PAKISTAN AND EASTERN AFGHANISTAN.
• LOCATED MAINLY IN VALE OF PESHAWAR,
THE POTOHAR PLATEAU AND KABUL RIVER
-GANDHARA HAD PLAYES AN IMPORTANT ROLE IN THE
HINDU EPIC OT MAHABHARATA, AS THE
PRINCESS NAMED GANDHARI WAS MARRIED TO
HASTINAPUR’S BLIND KING DHRITRASHTRA, THEIR
DESCENDENTS SUBSEQUENTLY RULED THE REGION UP TO 1
MILLENNIUM B.C
• MAHABHARATA ERA (AROUND 800 B.C)
. • KUSHAN EMPIRE (75-230 A.D)
-CYRUS THE GREAT BUILT FIRST THE “UNIVERSAL” EMPIRE,
STRETCHING FROM GREECE TO THE INDUS RIVER.
BOTH GANDHARA AND KAMBOJA SOON CAME UNDER THE
BACTRIANS. DEMETRIUS
RULE OF ACHAEMENIAN DYNASTY OF PERSIA
DURING THE REIGN OF CYRUS THE GREAT AND IN THE FIRST
YEAR OF DARIUS I.
• RULE OF CYRUS (AROUND 550 B.C)Pakistan & Afghan
Architecture
. INDO-GREEK KINGDOM.
-WHEN THE PERSIANS TOOK CONTROL OF THIS KINGDOM,
PUSHKARASAKTIM A CONTEMPORARY KING BIMBISARA OF
MAGADHA, WAS THE KING OF GANDHARA. HE WAS
ENGAGED IN A POWER STRUGGLE AGAINST THE KINGDOMS
OF AVANTI AND PANDAVAS.
-ISSUANCE OF COIN CURRENCY FOR THE FIRST TIME IN THE
INDUS LAND.
-GREAT USE OF IRON TECHNOLOGY WHICH PRODUCED IRON
TOOLS, WEAPONS AND OTHER OBJECTS POF DAILY USE.
-THE OLDEST UNIVERSITY OF THE WORLS WAS FOUNDED AT
TAXILA. WHERE TAUGHT THE GREAT GRAMMARIAN
PANINI. THE BASIS OF THIS GRAMMAR THAT MODERN
LINGUISTICS HAS BEEN DEVELOPED.
-BY ABOUT 380 BC. PERSIAN HOLD ON THE REGION
WEAKENED. MANY SMALL KINGDOMS SPRANG UP IN
GANDHARA.
• PERSIAN EMPIRES (520- 326 B.C)
• ALEXANDER CONQUEST (326- 305 B.C)
-IN 327 B.C ALEXANDER THE GREAT CONQUERED GANDHARA
AND THE INDIAN TERRITORIES OF THE
PERSIAN EMPIRE.
-HE WAS WELCOMED BY THE LOCAL KING AMBHI IN HIS
PALACE AT TAXILA.
-THE ERA LASTED FOR 25 YEARS,
• MAURYAN DYSNASTY (305- 180 B.C)
• RULE OF ASHOKA UNDER MAURYAN DYNASTY (326- 305
B.C)
-HE DEVELOPED THE MAURYAN CITY AT TAXILA, WHERE
GOVERNOR,
-HE INTRODUCED BUDDHISM IN GANDHARA AND BUILT THE
FIRST BUDDHIST MONASTERY, CALLED
DHARMARAJIKA VIHARA.
-CHANDRAGUPTA, THE FOUNDER OF MAURYAN DYNASTY IS
SAID TO HAVE LIVED IN TAXILA WHEN ALEXANDER
CAPTURED THIS CITY.
-HE LED A REBELION AND ASCENDED THE THRONE.
• INDO GREEK (180-97 B.C)
-THE DECLINE OF THE EMPIRE LEFT THE SUBCONTINENT
OPEN TO THE INROADS BY GRECO
OF BACTRIA, INVADED AND CONQUERED GANDHARA ANF
THE PUNJAB.
-WARS BETWEEN DIFFERENT GROUPS OF BACTARIAN GREEKS
RESULTED IN THE INDEPENDENCE OF
GANDHARA FROM BACTRIA AND THE FORMATION OF THE
-THE KUSHANS, KNOWN AS YUEZHI IN CHINA MOVED FROM
CENTRAL ASIA TO BACTRIA, WHERE
THEY STAYED FOR A CENTURY, AROUND 75, ONE OF THEIR
TRIBES GAINED CONTROL OF
GANDHARA.
-CONSIDERED AS THE GOLDEN PERIOD OF GANDHARA.
PESHAWAR VALLEY AND TAXILA ARE
LITTERED WITH RUINS OF STUPAS AND MONASTERIES OF
THIS PERIOD.
-GANDHARAN ART FLOURISHED AND PRODUCED SOME OF
THE BEST PIECES OF INDIAN SCUPLTURE.
-GANDHARA BECAME A HOLY LAND OF BUDDHISM AND
ATTRACTED CHINESE PILGRIM
• WHITE HUNS AND NEZAK (450-644 A.D)
• HINDUSHAHI (870 - 1020 A.D)
-THE HEPTHALITE HUNS CAPTURED GANDHARA AROUND AD
450, AND DID NOT ADOPT BUDDHISM. DURING THEIR RULE,
HINDUISM WAS REVIVED BUT THE GANDHARANCIVILIZATION
DECLINED.
-THEY CAPITAL WA SHIFTED TO THE HUND NEAR THE BANK
OF INDUS.
-SOMETIME IN THE 9TH CENTURY THE HINDUSHAHI
REPLACED THE TURKISHAHI.
-JAYAPALA, THE LAST GREAT KING, EXTENDED HIS EMPIRE
FROM WEST KABUL TO THE RIVER OF STULEJ.
-ANANDAPALA, HIS SON, MOVED HIS CAPITAL NEAR
NANDANA.
-TRILOCANAPALA, WAS ASSASSINATED BY HIS OWN TROOPS
WHICH SPELLED THE END OF
GANDHARA
• ART
-PRESENTS SOME OF THE EARLIEST IMAGES OF BUDDHA.
-PROFOUNDLY INFLUENCED THE 2ND CENTURY
HELLENISTIC ART AND WAS ITSELF HIGLY INFLUENTIAL IN
CENTRAL AND EASTERN ASIA.
BUDDHA HEAD AS DEPICTED IN GANDHARA
BAMYAN BUDDHA OF AFGANISTHAN2022
-GANDHARA’S LANGUAGE WAS A
“MIDDLE INDO-ARYAN” DIALECT.
WRITTEN FROM RIGHT TO LEFT.
• LANGUAGE
-GREEKS INTRODUCED THEIOR
LANGUAGE, ART AND RELIGION.
IT LASTED MORE THAN 500 YEARS
AND IT HAD CONSIDERABLE
INFLUENCE ON THE FLOURISH OF
GANDHARA CIVILIZATION
• ARCHITECTURE
-BECAUSE THE REGION WAS AT A CULTURAL CROSSROADS,
THE ART OF THE GANDHARAN BUDDHIST WAS A FUSION OF
GRECO-ROMAN, IRANIAN AND INDIAN STYLES
• EXAMPLE OF THEIR ARCHITECTURE:
This is the “Double-Headed Eagle Stupa”
that remains in Sirkap. There are three
panels separated by Corinthian wall
columns with shoots of Acanthus
decorations on the wall of either side of
the stairs in front of the square platform
THE PERSIAN AND GREEK INFLUENCED LED
TO THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE GRECO
BUDDHIST STYLE,
STARTING FROM THE 1ST CENTURY A.D
STUPAS AND MONASTERIES WERE
ADORNED WITH RELIEF FRIEZES
SHOWING FIGURES IN CLASSICAL POSES
WITH FLOWING HELLENISTIC DAPERIES
BUDDHAS OF BAMIYAN
-THE STATUES REPRESENTED A LATER EVOLUTION OF THE
CLASSIC BLENDED STYLE OF ANCIENT ART IN AFGHANISTAN
-THE STATUES REPRESENTED A LATER EVOLUTION OF THE
CLASSIC BLENDED STYLE OF ANCIENT ART IN AFGHANISTAN
SALSAL ("LIGHT SHINES THROUGH THE UNIVERSE"),
THE MALE SHAHMAMA (“Queen Mother"), THE FEMALE
MOST FAMOUS SITES:
1. HADDA AND BAMIYAN (AFGHANISTAN)
2. SHAH-JI-KI-DHERI IN PESHAWAR
3. BALA HISAR AND SHEIKHAN DHERI IN
CHARSADDA
4. TAKHT-I-BAHI IN SAHRI BAHIOL IN
MARDAN
5. AZIZ DHERI IN SWABI
6. BUTKARA-I & II IN SWAT
7. SIRKAP, SIRSUKH, JULIAN IN TAXILA
SRI LANKA ARCHITECTURE
Introduction
The architecture of Sri Lanka displays a rich variety of
architectural forms and styles.
• Major Influences of Sri Lanka:
1. Indian and Chinese architecture (by tradition)
2. Architectural influences from Southeast Asia (vice versa)
3. Europe (Techniques and styles transported to the country
via colonialism)
RELIGION INFLUENCE:
1. Shaivism has had a many influence on early Sri Lankan
architecture, during the region of King Ravana,
2. Buddhism has had a significant influence on Sri Lankan
architecture, since it was introduced to the island in the 3rd
Century BCE.
• Major Influences of Sri Lanka:
1. Indian and Chinese architecture (by tradition)
2. Architectural influences from Southeast Asia (vice versa)
2. Europe (Techniques and styles transported to the country
via colonialism)
DESIGN CONSTRUCTION On one these is a remains of a dagaba.

ARCHITECTS
-There were “architects” to attend to the built environment.
There were cave inscriptions which refers to “city architect”
CONSTRUCTION METHODS
-Some stone slabs were precisely cut that the joints are
hardly visible and nothing could be inserted between the
slabs. Historians suggests that Sri Lanka may have had the
first pre-fabricated buildings in the world. Some sections of
the monastic buildings were prepared separately then fitted
together.
AIR COOLING
Remains of 23 caves with drip ledges which the monks used
can be seen on two of the rock formations. Remains of many
buildings had been found from around the site, among which
there were remains of an image house (pilima geya),
Vessagiriya is is made in the form of a pabbatha vihara
architecture.
Archaeologists believe that Pabbata Vihara were built
merging with a natural rock formation. These are built by
arranging several rectangular building areas (courtyards) at
different levels surrounded by water. In the upper courtyard
itself are the four sacred buildings arranged in specific order.

There was an air cooling method in the ancient period. A DAMBULLA CAVE TEMPLE
dried buffalo skin
was fixed above the roof of the building. Water dripped onto Dambulla is the largest and best-preserved cave temple
it from several holes, creating the effect of rain and sending complex in Sri Lanka. The rock towers 160 m over the
colling breeze. surrounding plains. There are more than 80 documented
caves in the surrounding area. Major attractions are spread
BUILDING MATERIALS over five caves, which contain statues and paintings. These
paintings and statues are related to Gautama Buddha and his
1. BRICK 2. STONE 3. WOOD life. There are a total of 153 Buddha statues, three statues of
Sri Lankan kings and four statues of gods and goddesses. The
TIMBER – primarily timber architecture, with mud or latter include Vishnu and the Ganesha. The murals cover an
masonry walls. It carried the load. Frames were made out of area of 2,100 square metres (23,000 sq ft).
whole trunks of trees. Mature trees were selected and cut in
the new moon when the sugar content in timber was lower. Depictions on the walls of the caves include the temptation
There are two practices of carpentry: oil was applied to by the demon Mara, and Buddha's first sermon.
timber to prevent decay, and wood was heated to straighten Prehistoric Sri Lankans would have lived in these cave
it. complexes before the arrival of Buddhism in Sri Lanka as
there are burial sites with human skeletons about 2700 years
PURPOSE OF DRIP LEDGE ON CAVES old in this area, at Ibbankatuwa near the Dambulla cave
complexes.
THE FIRST TYPE OF DRIP EDGE AND IT DIVERTS THE WATER
FIVE CAVES OF DAMBULLA
SO IT WON’T FLOOD THE INSIDE OFTHE CAVE .
The temple is composed of five caves of varying size and
magnificence.The caves, built at the base of a 150m high
rock during the Anuradhapura (1st century BC to 993 AD)
ROYAL GARDEN IN POLONNARUWA and Polonnaruwa times (1073 to 1250), are by far the most
impressive of the many cave temples found in Sri Lanka.
-12 PONDS
-DIFFERENT SIZE AND SHAPE Access is along the gentle slope of the Dambulla Rock,
-INFLUENCE BY INDIAN ARCHITECTURE offering a panoramic view of the surrounding flat lands,
-ITS SERVES AS PONDS OR BATHS which includes the rock fortress Sigiriya, 19 km away. Dusk
-USES AS DEFENSE brings hundreds of swooping swallows to the cave entrance.
-20 FEET DEEP The largest cave measures about 52m from east
to west, and 23m from the entrance to the back, this
SIGIRAYA FOND- PUBLIC BATH spectacular cave is 7m tall at its highest point. Hindu deities
KUTTAM POKUNA- PUBLIC BATH are also represented here, as are the kings Valagamba and
NANDANA- LEANING BATH, ROYAL BATH Nissankamalla, and Ananda - the Buddha's most devoted
disciple.
CAVE & TEMPLES
Cave of the Divine King
VESSAGIRIYA
This temple complex is located in and around 3 beautiful The first cave is called Devaraja lena (lena in sinhalese
bolder formations spread across a large area in front of the meaning cave), or "Cave of the Divine King." An account of
Tissa Weva. the founding of the monastery is recorded in a 1st-century
Brahmi inscription over the entrance to the first cave. This
cave is dominated by the 14-meter statue of the Buddha,
hewn out of the rock. It has been repainted countless times
in the course of its history, and probably received its last
coat of paint in the 20th century. At his feet is Buddha's
favorite pupil, Ananda; at his head, Vishnu, said to have
used his divine powers to create the caves.
Cave of the Great Kings / “Maharaja lena”
In the second and largest cave, in addition to 16 standing and
40 seated statues of Buddha, are the gods Saman and Vishnu,
which pilgrims often decorate with garlands, and finally
statues of King Vattagamani who honored the monastery in
the 1st century BC., and King Nissanka, responsible in the
12th century for the gilding of 50 statues, as indicated
by a stone inscription near the monastery entrance.
The Buddha statue hewn out of the rock on the left side of
the room is escorted by wooden figures of the Bodhisattvas
Maitreya and Avalokiteshvara or Natha. There is also a
dagoba and a spring which drips its water, said to have
healing powers, out of a crack in the ceiling. Distinctive
tempera paintings on the cave ceiling dating
from the 18th century depict scenes from Buddha's life, from
the dream of Mahamaya to temptation by the demon Mara.
Further pictures relate important events from the country's
history.
Great New Monastery / “Maha Alut Vihara”
The third cave, the , the "Great New Monastery" acquired
ceiling and wall paintings in the typical Kandy style during
the reign of King Kirti Sri Rajasinha (1747–1782), the famous
Buddhist revivalist. In addition to the 50 Buddha statues,
there is also a statue of the king
Pilikuththuwa Temple
• The Pilikuththuwa temple is considered as one of the
Buddhist temples in the country with highest number of drip
ledged rock caves.
• It is said that this temple has 99 rock caves with drip ledges,
spreading about 200 acres of total area. As at today, 78 of
caves have been identified.
• Beside the rock caves, inscription with pre-Brahmi
characters belonging to the 3rd century CE, drip ledged caves,
the pond made with Cairn of stones, ancient mould creeper,
wooden bridge belonging to the Kandyan period, the Dagoba
with its natural Vatadage, ancient reservoir, roads, water
pools, and natural water ponds, increase the historical
importance of this site.
ALUVIHARE TEMPLE
“Matale Alu Viharaya”
In the premises of Aluvihare Rock temple, there are many
caves with ancient inscriptions. These caves are surrounded
by modern wall and ceiling paintings. There are also
impressive Buddha statues. The main cave constitutes large
reclining statue of Buddha along with Standing and
seated Buddha statues. One of the cave has terrifying
depictions of the
hellish afterlife that awaits people who commit sins.
Among the caves, one cave is dedicated to the Indian monk,
Buddhagosa. He is regarded as the greatest exponent and
interpreter of the Pali canonical scriptures. He also spent
several years at the Aluvihara to engage in his
scholarly works.
Dimbulagala Raja Maha Vihara Temple
The Dimbulagala range houses a number of caves cut into the
rock with Brahmi inscriptions over their drip ledges. This
forest hermitage of medieval times and holy abode since
time immemorial, home to some of the most valued
fragments of early frescoes was called the Gunners Quoin by
the British. This Buddhist monastery which was abandoned
after the times of the Kingdom of Polonnaruwa was restored
to the present status in the 1950s due to the efforts of
Kithalagama, who was the chief incumbent of the Vihara
until his death in 1995
Pulligoda
Passing the Dimbulagala temple, the only landmark being a
water tank at which point you turn to the left and continue
on an unsealed road which passes the delightful Hitcha
Pitcha weva (weva is a reservoir), another turn off which is
almost at the foot of a rocky outcrop. A short climb up and
through jungle and rock boulders, brings to this forgotten
fresco considered to be an important milestone in the history
of the artistic heritage of Sri Lanka.
Mulkirigala Temple
The Mulkirigala Rock Temple is cradled on a rocky crag
approximately 16km from the coastal town of Tangalle.
Shrouded within a green forest, the Buddist rock temple
requires you to ascend 500 steps before you can admire
the beauty from its summit and experience a tranquil,
soothing atmosphere surrounded by wilderness. Visit during
the morning or evening hours to avoid the heat and humidity
from the day. With 5 terraced levels housing caves, the rock
temple complex evokes a sense of peace as you discover its
varying statues of Buddha. The temple premises consists of 7
smaller structures within the 5 terraced caves, namely the
Lower Temple Compound, Siyambalamaluwa, Bomaluwa, the
Royal Temple Compound and the Upper Temple Compound.
The caves are adorned with colourful murals and various
Figurines.
STUPAS DAGOBAS
Thuparamaya Temple
Thuparamaya is believed to be the first Buddhist dagoba
built in Sri Lanka. Constructed around the 3rd century BC by
King Devanampiya Tissa, Thuparamaya is a white domed
structure in the ancient city of Anuradhapura
also known as the Thuparama Dagoba.
The shrine is most notable for housing one of the relics of
Buddha – his right collarbone – making it a pilgrimage site for
Buddhists from around the world.
Thuparamaya dagoba has been built in the shape of a bell.
This dagoba was destroyed from time to time. During the
reign of King Agbo II it was completely destroyed and the
King restored it. What is seen presently is the
construction of the dagoba, done in 1842 AD. As of today,
after several renovations, in the course of the centuries.
• Base of the monument = diameter of 59 ft (18 m
• The dome = 11 feet 4 inches (3.45 m) in height from the
ground, 164 1⁄2 ft (50.1 m) in diameter.
Jetavanarama Temple
The Jetavanarama stupa or Jetavanaramaya is a stupa, or
Buddhist reliquary monument, located in the ruins of
Jetavana monastery in the UNESCO world
heritage city of Anuradhapura, Sri Lanka.
At 122 metres, and was the world's tallest stupa; and the
third tallest structure in the world when it was built by King
Mahasena of Anuradhapura. He initiated the construction of
the stupa following the destruction of the Mahaviharaya of
Anuradhapura. His son Maghavanna I completed the
construction of the stupa, and was renovated by
Parakramabahu I of Polonnaruwa. A part of a sash or belt tied
by the Buddha is believed to be the relic that is enshrined
here.
The structure is significant in the island's history as it
represents the tensions within the Theravada and Mahayana
sects of Buddhism; it is also significant in recorded history as
one of the tallest structures in the ancient
world, and the tallest non-pyramidal building; the height of
the stupa was 122 metres, making it the tallest stupa in the
ancient world
Medirigiriya Vatadage
Vatadage is a unique architectural building which completely
housed the Stupa. These building were constructed at the
very early periods as the Stupas in this time were quite small.
The roof of the Stupa house has been built on three
concentric circles of stone pillars most of which still can be
seen in the original state. The inner most circle of 16 pillars
are 17 feet in height and the other two circles are 16 and 9
feet in height and 20 and 32 in numbers respectively. There
are many opinions of what the roof would have looked like
by many archaeologists. Some even believe there never has
been a roof considering the sizes and the number of
pillars. Anyway this site remains a one of the best examples
of local craftsmanship of the ancient Sri Lanka.
ANCIENT PALACES
PALACES
Five royal residences have been identified.
1. Vijayabahu’s palace in the inner city at Anuradhapura
2. Palaces of Nissanka Malla and Parakramabahu in
Polonnaruwa
3. Palace of Sugala in Galabadda
4. Parakramabahu’s palace in Panduwasnuwara
PLANS:
• All the palaces had the same ground plan. Each was set in a
rectangular
area enclosed by galleries with an entrance from the east.
• A spacious courtyard in front acted as a reception room,
where sitting was not allowed.
• A flight of steps led to a central building where there was
an imposing pillared hall with a dais at the end.
• Around the royal complex were over fifty small cells, in two
or three rows.
• The hall in Nissanka Malla’s palace was 133 feet (41 m) by
63 feet (19 m).
• The floors of the upper storeyin Parakramabahu's palace
were of concrete.
• Panduwasnuwara palace had good provision for ventilation
and there were soakage pits for drainage.
Palace of Anuradhapura
The only thing that remains of this hall is an
impressive example of stonework. The remains of
this structure are made of granite so wonderfully
carved that it is almost impossible to know how it
really occurred. The building’s front is guarded by
incredibly detailed lions which sit at the head of the
stairway, looking out onto the plain. It is a royal
audience-hall, constructed as a separate building and
as part of the Nissankamalla palace complex itself. It
is a considerably large structure. At least whatever
remains of it is incredible. It is a layered structure
made of platforms and the lion theme quite runs
through the building. His throne itself is a granite
lion, very well carved with impressive detail. It also
has exceptional makara balustrades on either side of
the staircase. The mass of columns have a “waist” in
the middle of their bodies. They are not as unique as
those in his other building, the Nissanka Latha
Mandapa but they are quite amazing to look at.
It is ironic that while Nissankamalla wanted to
reduce taxes in the country. However, his building
projects almost bankrupted Polonnaruwa in the
process. 30The structure is an elevated stone platform with a
Nissanka Latha Mandapa
number of stone columns and surrounded by a low
stone wall. These stone columns are the unique
feature about the Nissanka Latha Manadapaya, since
they are carved in a manner that is found nowhere
else in the country.
The eight granite columns are arranged in two rows,
with four in each row. Presumably used to support a
roof, each of them is approximately 8 feet 4 inches
(2.54 m) in height. In each of these columns, the
crown is carved in the shape of a blossoming lotus
bud. The rest of the column is elaborately carved to
resemble the stem of the flower. Unlike stone
columns commonly seen in the architecture of this
period, these are not straight, but are curved in three
places. At the center of the platform, flanked by the stone
columns, is a small stupa. This is also made from
stone, but the top part of it has been destroyed. Its
base is decorated with a carved design. The platform
is surrounded by a stone railing, and the structure is
entered through a single stone doorway. In contrast
to the elaborately carved stone pillars, these have an
undecorated and plain finish.
Palace of Parakramabahu
Once towering at 7 stories, and believed to have
around 1,000 chambers, the Palace of the great King
Parakramabahu is a reminder of just how great the
kingdom was. Built in the 12th century AD, this
unique palace was also shared with his ministers,
generals and servants.
The main building of the royal palace was part of a
larger palace complex within the inner city. All the
old cities of Sri Lanka were divided into inner and
outer districts. The ministers and the members of the
royal family having homes in the inner district. While
the middle-class householders and traders, and the
artisan castes had theirs in the outer city. The
cemeteries were outside the city limits and were
inhabited by the lowest class, the Chandalas. Unlike
Indian castes though, the local caste system was
based on occupation rather than birth-or most
probably a mix of the two-and was much more
diverse.
Palace of Vijayahabu
The Royal Palace of King Vijayabahu we see today is
thought to be the temporary palace he constructed to
for the celebrations in Anuradhapura. This building as
it stands today measures 128×216 feet (39×66
metres) . The guardstones at the entrance to the
palace represent “Sankhanihi” and “Padmanidhi”, the
two attendants of Kuvera.
3334
Palace of Yapahuwa
The Yapahuwa rock rises abruptly from the plains. On
its southern and eastern faces, terraces retained by
walls permit access to the summit. The king had
enclosed the city with a towering wall and a moat,
protecting the palace within. A cave temple was built
for monks at the apex.
Most recent archaeological excavations in Yapahuwa
indicate that this hill top kingdom had close
diplomatic ties with China. During early excavations,
several Chinese ceramics were found.
These remains indicate that the palace was perched
at the apex of its striking stairway and that two semi
On to the right of the Magul Maduwa, at the northern
circular walls and moats protected it.
Most of the steps are narrow and need to be
maneuvered in a sideways fashion.
Historians say this was a form of defense. Because of
the narrowness, the steps can neither be ascended
nor descended hastily, thus giving those at the top
time to arm themselves against an enemy onslaught
or prevent infiltrators from fleeing easily.
Palace of Dambadeniya
The palace has been on a steep rock spreading in a
vast area with a royal garden in the middle.
There are steps carved on the stone still intact and
the holes cut on the rock surface to hold the palace's
columns. They provide witness on how well the
castle must have been constructed on the rock. The
staircase, which leads to the top of the rock, is a
unique structure.
On the staircase at one place, the stairway is very
narrow like a bottleneck. Space there allows only one
person to climb up. Then, the steps are broader in
length and steeper in height. It was a trick the King
used to face the enemies successfully. The rainwater
collects to the center of the courtyard and diverts
through buried drains. The ruins of these drains are
on the premises even today. According to the old
fortification architecture, there was a moat, marsh,
and ramparts to protect the palace from enemies. In
some places, there are small natural ponds with
flowers as well. Maa Vee Pokuna among these ponds
is said to be more than 20 feet deep.
Palace of Kandy
The Royal Palace of the Kingdom of Kandy was the
last Royal Residence of His Majesty King Sri Vikrama
Rajasinha (1798-1815). The Palace is situated to the
North of the Dalada Maligawa Temple in Kandy. The
first Royal Palace in Senkadagala was built by King
Vickramabahu III of Gampola (1357-1374) on the
advice of a Brahmin who selected the site as a lucky
ground for a Capital city. The original palace has
been burnt and destroyed several times and it was
rebuilt by subsequent kings. In ancient times the
Royal Palace was called “Maha Wasala” or
“Maligawa”. The section of the Royal Palace facing
the Natha Devale is said to be the oldest part. During
King Vimala Dharma Suriya I (1592-1603) was also
his royal residence and he made various
improvements to the Royal Palace. During the reign
of King Senarat (1603-1634), the Portuguese attacked
the Kingdom of Kandy and destroyed the Royal
Palace. King Rajasinghe II who accented to the
throne in 1637 rebuilt it and all the subsequent kings
used this as their Royal Residence.
Palace of Kandy
Raja Wasala
end of the palace complex is the Raja Wasala or
King's Palace. It is a long building with a central
doorway, with a flight of steps entering into an
imposing hall decorated with stucco and terra-cotta
work. Rooms are found in the two long wings with a
long verandah facing the inner courtyard.
Maha Maluwa
The Maha Maluwa or Great Terrace is an open park
located in front of the Temple of the Tooth. The site
was the threshing ground of a large paddy fields.
The Maha Maluwa or Great Terrace is an open park,
situated opposite to the Temple of the Tooth. There is
a stone pillar memorial at one end of the square that
houses the skull of Keppetipola Disawe, a national
Sinahalese hero and a prominent leader of the Uva
rebellion of 1818, who rebelled against the British
and was killed for his part in the rebellion.
The park also contains a statue of Madduma
Bandara, a statute of Princess Hemamali and Prince
Danthakumara, who according to legend brought the
tooth of Buddha to Sri Lanka.
Magul Maduwa
The Magul Maduwa or Royal Audience Hall, is where
the king met his ministers and carried out his daily
administrative tasks. The construction of this finely
carved wooden building was commenced by the King
Sri Vikrama Rajasinha (1779–1797) in 1783.
The Magul Maduva was utilised as a place of public
audience and figured as a centre of religious and
national festivities connected with the Kandyan
Court.
Wadahindina Mandappe
This is the palace where the king used to rest while
adigars and other visitors awaiting for him. Foreign
visitors were able to meet the king in this palace. It is
situated near the Raja wasala and Magul maduwa.
Today this building is used as Raja tuskera museum.
The building is just north of the Temple of the Tooth
but within the same compound.
Palle Vahale
The Palle Vahale or Lower Palace was constructed
and was used as the quarters of the harem of
the King of Kandy.
The main doorway to the structure leads to a small
hall in front of the central building; on either side are
two wings. Inner verandas on all four sides face an
inner central courtyard.
Meda Wasala
To the north of the Palle Vahale, is the Meda
Wasala or Queens' Chambers. Although smaller in
size, it is similar in architectural character to the Palle
Wasala. The western doorway leads to a small open
courtyard, with verandahs surrounding it. The
building is currently used by the Kandy office of the
National Department of Archaeology.
Ran Ayuda Maduwa
Beyond the Meda Wasala is the Ran Ayuda
Maduwa or Royal Armoury. The building has a central
porch of timber columns. It is currently used for the
District Courts of Kandy.
Ulpange
The Ulpange or Queens Bathing Pavilion is located on
the embankment of Kandy Lake. It was to serve as
the bathing chambers for his queens. Three sides of
this two-storey building are bounded by the lake. The
upper floor was used as the changing room and the
ground floor was for bathing. The arches supported
by columns admit sun and light to the lake at the
ground level.
ANCIENT SKYSCRAPERS
The king in this era, informed the monks that he would
LOVAMAHAPAYA
erect an excellent storied monastery and requested
them to procure for him the plan of a palace of the
devas. The plan was supplied immediately and begun
under the supervision of eminent architects. It was a
quadrilateral palace, being two hundred feet long on
each of its sides and the same in height. There were
nine stories. In each of them were one hundred windows
and a total of 1000 rooms. A special hall was built in the
centre of the palace; and it was said to have been
supported on golden pillars. In the centre of this hall
there was a beautiful ivory throne, on one side of which
there was the emblem of the sun in gold; on another, the
moon in silver and stars in pearls. Above the throne the
imperial canopy glittered. The roof of this magnificent
palace was covered with brazen tiles thus it was called
the Loha Maha Prasadaya, “great brazen palace”. It is
said that the value attached to the building was three
hundred million gold pieces. described as an edifice of
nine stories, was a building of this class. One side of the
building was 400 ft (120 m) in length. There are 40 rows,
each row consisting of 40 stone pillars, for a total of
1600 pillars. It is said that Lovamahapaya was adorned
with corals and precious stones.