An Architectural Mode and Its Growth on the Buddha Image House Design in Sri Lanka (From the 2nd Century AC up to 13th AC)

Dr. Dananjaya Gamalath

Abstract: The terms patimaghara, prethimagruha, Denoting image house and Prethimagruha has been formed by combining words prethima and gruha meaning image and its abode respectively. The other term bimbalaya has mentioned in the Silpa text called Manjusri vastuvidya shastraya denoting image house also has been formed by combining the words bimbe or image and Alaya or abode (house). The other Sinhalese terms pilimage, buduge, viharage are formed by using the meanings of utility of the building and its spatial organization and while the terms buduge and viharage specially reflected the meaning of the sitting, standing and reclining (viharathi) abode of the master.

Keywords: image house, gedige, kutagara, prasadha