Polonnaruwa Kiri Vehera stupa: unplastered medieval lime stucco and Queen Subhadra patronage?
What original 12th-century lime plaster patches (Sudu Suna) survived 800 years on the unplastered brick dome of Kiri Vehera in Polonnaruwa?
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3 Answers from travellers
Kiri Vehera (Milk Stupa) in Polonnaruwa, built in the 12th century under King Parakramabahu I and dedicated to his chief queen Subhadra, is the second largest stupa in the medieval capital. Standing 24 meters high, it is celebrated for preserving patches of its original white lime stucco (Sudu Suna) coating on the upper brick dome. When archaeologists cleared surrounding jungle growth in the 20th century, the gleaming white lime plaster patches contrasted with exposed red kiln-fired bricks, earning it the popular local name "Milk Stupa."
The stupa base features small brick image houses (Vahalkada) facing the cardinal directions, decorated with friezes of dwarfs (Ganas) and floral reliefs.
Located north of the royal palace complex, Kiri Vehera is a key stop on cycling and walking tours of the ancient city.
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