Polonnaruwa, Sri Lanka

Polonnaruwa was the medieval capital of Sri Lanka between the 11th and 13th Centuries. Strategically, it commanded all the crossings over the Mahaweli River, Sri Lanka's longest, guarding the increasingly powerful southern province of Ruhuna. In 993 AD, the Cholas, invaders from southern India, looted and burnt Anuradhapura and used Polonnaruwa as their military base for 77 years, resulting in an interesting blend of south Indian Hindu culture and Sinhalese Buddhist art and architecture.

Near the Audience Hall (sometimes called the Council Chamber) is the unidentified structure of the Nissanga Malla, this is made of solid rock and probably held a wooden roof. The building has been held by 48 stone pillars laid in 4 rows. The throne is a massive lion carved in stone. “Throne of the King” is carved at the bottom of the lion figure.
This building has a high importance to the historians as all the pillars are carved with the person’s designation who would sit there.

Thank you, Isuru!:)