Satmahal Prasada, Polonnaruwa

Satmahal Prasada (29 August, 2005)

Satmahal Prasada represents another unusual design for a temple, unique in Polonnaruwa, Sri Lanka. The name means "Seven Storey Edifice", and appears as a stepped pyramid. Historians and archaeologists are stumped as to its origin, as there were no mention of it in the ancient chronicles. According to the book Lanna, Thailand's Northern Kingdom¹, the Satmahal Prasada may owe its appearance to the Mahapol Chedi at Wat Chamathewi in Lamphun, Thailand. Each floor has a niche that contain figurines, some of which still there. A flight of stairs winds its way up the tower.

In all likelihood, the Satmahal Prasada probably bears influences from the Khmers, who are renowned at building temple mountains which are ziggurat-like as well. Visitors admiring the Satmahal Prasada can be satisfied with the knowledge that they know as much about it as the historian, that is, nothing.