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JOURNAL, R.A.S. (CEYLON.) 



[Vol. XXI. 



Just outside the premises to south there is a somewhat larger 

 fane pertaining to Vishnu, wherein was exhumed a slab bearing 

 the figure of that god, seated between his two wives — Lakshmi 

 a nd Rukmini 



Vishnu Devale No. 2.* — This is, so far as known, the only 

 temple specially sacred to Vishnu within the City walls. It stands 

 just inside the Northern Gateway to east. It was a granite-built 

 shrine of two rooms (confined sanctum 6 ft. 9 in. square, and a 

 vestibule of the same size) with a mandapam, or hall, in front. Of 

 the last, the mere site alone is left. The roof and much of the 

 walls of the Devale have fallen, but the figure of the four-armed 

 god still occupies the sanctuary, unbroken. This shrine alone, of 

 all the De vales yet exploited, faces west instead of east. f 



That Saivism was more than tolerated, the presence in close 

 proximity of a small fane in front of, but outside, the Devale 

 enclosure, dedicated to Ganesa, testifies.! 



All these Hindu temples of Pojonnaruwa are now known to 

 agree in certain broad features : — 



(i.) They stand within walled enclosures, entered (well nigh 

 invariably) on the east. 



(ii. ) The main shrine nearly always possesses two or more 

 subordinate fanes lying off its sides or angles. 



(iii.) The Siva and Vishnu cults admitted each other to a share 

 in the worship at the precincts of their respective Devales, by 

 countenancing the erection of fanes sacred to gods of the rival 

 persuasion. 



(iv.) In plan, and exterior ornamentation, the Devales follow 

 almost slavishly one type — bare walls, relieved in the middle by a 

 nich flanked by pilasters crowned with cushion and spreading 

 capitals, the whole crowned by well defined coping. 



(v.) Both the inner vestibule and sanctuary were ceiled horizon- 

 tally with stone slabs, and the latter domed in stone or in brick. 



Finds. 



Another valuable find of antiques was made at Polonnaruwa 

 last season. Though not equalling those discovered in 1907 in 

 number or variety, these include three or four bronze figures of 

 gods (two of Mahadeva or Siva), a terracotta figurine of Ganesa, 

 and a stone figure, cut in full round, of the rat (Perichchdli 

 vdkanam) the vdhana of the god, bridled and richly caparisoned, 

 besides a set of utensils of the kind employed to this day in the 

 ceremonial worship of Hindu temples — bronze tray with tripod, 

 bowl, incense vessel, bells, chanks, &c. 



* A Vishnu Devale (No. 1) must once have stood on the Promontory 

 over-looking T6pavewa lake at the headland upon which the Bevenue 

 Officer's house has been built ; for inter alia a sculptured slab with bas- 

 reliefs of Vishnu and his wives was unearthed at the site. 



f This Deval6 was partially excavated by Mr. Burrows in 1885. See 

 Sessional Papers X.. 1886. 



% A rat sculptured in stone, vdhana of Ganesa and a terracotta 

 image of that god, were unearthed near, 



