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Lankathilaka Image House

This is a monolithic Buddha image house built by king Parakramabahu (1153-1186). The Buddha statue is completely made out of clay bricks and it has been 41 feet in height. Specially made flat bricks have been used to build this statue. Today the portion above the shoulder is destroyed.

At the entrance to the building is two massive pillars made from bricks. The tallest one is 58 feet in height. It is thought that these pillars would have been at least twice as tall this before destruction. According to chronicles this building has had five stories. This too is a part of the Ãlahana Privena.

Inside the stupa house are two uniqely built stairways to the upper floor (see image). The width of a step is only about 4 inches and each is about one feet tall. It is buit in a way that isimpossible to climb these stairs the normal may we are used to. The season for this is anybody climbingNovember 15, 2007 Buddha statute which is considered disrectpectful. Therefore the only way you can climb these stairs is side ways.

Photos

Image House	The Buddha Statue
The Buddha Statue	A guard at one of the massive pillars at the entrance
A guard stone at the stairs	Side view of the image house
Uniquely build stair case at the stupahouse	"Vimana" on the out side of the walls

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November 15, 2007