Polonnaruwa Shiva Devale No. 2: Chola stone architecture and dry-joint granite masonry?

Shiva Devale No. 2 is the oldest intact building in Polonnaruwa, constructed during the South Indian Chola occupation in the early 11th century. Unlike classical Sinhala architecture that relied heavily on brick superstructures and timber roofs, this temple was constructed entirely of dressed granite blocks fitted with dry-joint masonry without lime mortar. Built in the Dravidian Chola style, it comprises an inner sanctum (Garbhagriha) crowned by a domical stone vimana dome, fronted by an ardhamandapa hall. Because it lacked combustible wooden roof timbers, it survived intact when surrounding medieval palaces and stupas were burned during subsequent wars.