Polonnaruwa Siva Devale No. 1 is a 13th-century Chola-era shrine of precisely fitted stone, still actively worshipped today, and the site where Sri Lanka's first great hoard of bronze Hindu deities was unearthed.

Why visit Polonnaruwa Siva Devale No.1

• Pandyan-Style Stone Architecture: The temple was built in the 13th century during the occupation of Polonnaruwa by Magha of Kalinga, in the distinctive Pandyan architectural style, using precisely fitted granite blocks without any mortar or binding material between them.
• A Living Shrine Amid Ruins: Unlike most of Polonnaruwa's Hindu monuments, Shiva Devale No. 1 remains an active site of worship today. Inside the roofless inner sanctum stands a stone Shiva lingam that Hindu visitors still honor with flower offerings.
• Birthplace of Sri Lanka's Chola Bronze Collection: This temple is historically significant as the site where the first major hoard of Chola-era bronze statues was unearthed, including a Nataraja and a Shiva-Parvati figure, excavated in 1907 by H.C.P. Bell and now displayed in the Colombo National Museum.
• Guardian Nandi and Ancient Inscriptions: Outside the shrine stands a broken stone Nandi, the bull that serves as Shiva's vehicle, while the outer walls bear carved figures of sages and inscriptions in Tamil Grantha script from the Chola period.
• Strategic Royal Location: The temple sits between the Royal Palace complex and the Sacred Quadrangle, placing it at the heart of the ancient city and underscoring its importance during Polonnaruwa's era as a multi-faith capital.