When King Vijayabahu I captured Polonnaruwa from the Cholas after a long battle, he decided to get a temporary palace constructed at Anuradhapura until his palace at Polonnaruwa was ready. He was coroneted at Anuradhapura and stayed there.

The Guard House at the entrance to the Palace is about 200 yards from the main building.

The Palace building is smaller in size, would have had at least three floors and the steps leading to the upper floors could be seen even today.

The 2 guards found here are different from the normal guards kept at the entrances. They are Sanka Nidhi and Padma Nidhi, two assistants of God Kuvera- the God of Wealth.