Thivanka Pilimage houses Polonnaruwa's only surviving original wall paintings, wrapped around a colossal brick Buddha bent at three points in a pose unique to Sri Lankan sacred art.

Why visit Thiwanka pilimageya

• Unique Buddha Statue: The image house is named "Thivanka" because the large Buddha statue inside is bent in three places. These curves are at the shoulder, waist, and knee.
• Intact Frescoes: The inner walls of the building are famous for their frescoes. These paintings depict Jataka Stories. Visitors can still see the colorful drawings.
• Vaulted Brick Construction: The entire structure, including the statue, was built with bricks. It is a vaulted-type image house.
• Massive Walls: The building's walls are very thick, measuring 7 to 12 feet. This significantly reduces the internal space.
• Part of a Larger Complex: Thivanka Pilimage was built by King Parakramabahu. It is part of the Jethavanarama Complex.