Shiva Devale #2

Polonnaruwa

This is the oldest Hindu shrine in Polonnaruwa, dating back to the early years of the Chola occupation; its inscription describes it as a memorial to one of the queens of the Chola emperor Rajaraja I (985 - 1014 AD), who conquered Anuradhapura and built the Brihadeshvara Temple in Thanjavur.

Numerous Hindu shrines were built outside of the Buddhist sacred area, neither religion's temples being disturbed by the other. This is an often-quoted example to illustrate the themes of multiculturalism, peaceful coexistence, and religious tolerance in Sri Lanka.