It was built during the reign of King Parakramabahu I (1153–1186 AD) as part of the Alahana Pirivena monastic complex.

The temple’s brick structure consists of two immense walls, each 4 meters thick and 17 meters high, forming a narrow passage leading to a Buddha statue over 14 meters tall.

Its entrance is guarded by statues resembling those in the Polonnaruwa Vatadage and decorated with guardstones and makara balustrades featuring lions and dwarfs.

The structure of the image house exemplifies the Gedige architectural style with thick walls and a vaulted roof, reflecting South Indian influence in its construction.

Historical records indicate the building originally rose to five stories and housed a standing Buddha statue over 40 feet high made entirely of clay bricks.