Sathmahal Prasada

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Sathmahal Prasada in Sri Lanka: The Stepped Pyramid of Polonnaruwa

Sathmahal Prasada in Sri Lanka is a seven storied stepped pyramid located in an elevated area amongst the ancient city Polonnaruwa. The structure has entrances on all four sides and an additional staircase to reach the upper levels. It is believed to be built during the Polonnaruwa era, somewhere between the 11th and 13th century AD. However, no record exists of this pyramid, its builder or purpose.

The Seven Storied Palace is believed to be a stupa by some, due to its proximity to notable Buddhist ruins such as stupas, monasteries and etc. However the architecture is completely different and does not resemble any other ancient architecture in Sri Lanka. It is the only stepped pyramid in Sri Lanka and one of only four other ancient buildings with square bases, the others all being damaged stupas or monastic ruins in Anuradhapura. It is interesting to note that none of the other three buildings show signs of having been pyramids and all seem to have been squat in structure.

Sathmahal Prasada in Sri Lanka: Resemblance to Architectures beyond the Seas

Though it does not have comparative architecture in Sri Lanka itself, Sathmahal Prasada has similarities to the architecture of some cultures beyond the oceans.

• Stepped Pyramids are structures that use flat platforms or ‘steps’ in a receding order from ground up, to form a shape similar to a geometric pyramid. They are usually large and are built using several layers of stone.
• There are stepped pyramids found throughout history in many cultures and locations around the world.
• Interestingly enough, there were no firmly established connections between the different cultures.
• Sathmahal Prasada is most similar in structure (except for the staircase) to the Koh Ker temple and Baksei Chamkrong temple in Siem Reap, Cambodia (both are Shiva temples built around the 10th century AD), and on a smaller scale similar to the Mayan Temple of the Masks in Tikal, Gautemala and some other Mayan temples.

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【LK94009701: Sathmahal Prasada. Images by Google, copyright(s) reserved by original authors.】

Acerca del distrito de Polonnaruwa

Polonnaruwa es la segunda ciudad más grande de la provincia centro-norte de Sri Lanka. La antigua ciudad de Polonnaruwa ha sido declarada Patrimonio de la Humanidad por la UNESCO. Polonnaruwa cuenta con una larga historia de conquista y lucha, y con razón constituye el tercer elemento del Triángulo Cultural. Ubicada a unos 140 km al noreste de Kandy, Polonnaruwa ofrece horas de inagotable placer para los amantes de la historia y la cultura, gracias a sus numerosos lugares de interés.

Gran parte de las ruinas que aún se conservan se atribuyen al rey Parakrama Bahu I, quien invirtió importantes recursos reales en la planificación urbana, incluyendo parques, edificios, sistemas de riego, etc. Su reinado se considera una época dorada, donde el reino prosperó bajo un gobernante visionario. El Parakrama Samudra es un tanque gigantesco que lleva el nombre de su patrón. El popular Palacio Real del rey, la Sala de Audiencias, rodeada de elefantes de piedra bellamente tallados, y la Piscina de Baño reflejan la superior capacidad de ingeniería de la época.

Acerca de la Provincia Central del Norte

La Provincia Central del Norte, la más grande del país, abarca el 16% de la superficie total del país. Está compuesta por dos distritos: Polonnaruwa y Anuradhapure. Anuradhapura es el distrito más grande de Sri Lanka, con una superficie de 7128 km².

North Central Province has numerous potentials for Investors to start their Businesses, especially Agriculture, agro based industries and Livestock sectors. More than 65% of North Central Province's people depend on basic Agriculture and agro base industries. NCP also called "Wew Bendi Rajje" because there are more than 3,000 medium and large scale tanks situated in the province. Sri maha bodiya, Ruwanweli seya, Thuparama dageba, Abayagiri Monastry, Polonnaruwa Rankot wehera, Lankathilake are scared