An unusually shaped brick building, the Pabalu Vehera was probably commissioned by Queen Rupavati, one of the consorts of Parakramabahu of Polonnaruwa. There are quite a few monastic complexes in Polonnaruwa compared to the earlier kingdom of Anuradhapura. The name Pabalu Vehera comes from the glass beads that were found in the vicinity of the monastic complex, while the actual name of the place is actually unknown. From the outside, we see that this rather impressive building is like a stupa atop a second stupa, a queer design not seen anywhere else in the country. The top and much of the center of the building were destroyed rather recently and in the past by foreign invasions and treasure hunters. It is most likely to have been covered with plaster and whitewashed beautifully during its time. Another peculiarity of the place was the number of image houses surrounding the main structure in the middle of the field, the stupa itself. Normally there would be four, in the four cardinal directions but here there are nine.

Some of them still preserve Buddha images. Among these are standing and seated statues and a few reclining statues in between. One of these houses preserves a sri pathla, an image of the Buddha’s footprint which includes the symbols that were thought to be the signs of his enlightenment.

Written by Vasika Udurawane for Travel Lanka Compass