Polonnaruwa

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Polonnaruwa was the capital of Sri Lanka between 11^th and 13^th century. The Chola invaders from India Used Polonnaruwa as their military base and therefore the architecture and buildings are a mixture of south Indian Hindu and the Buddhist culture, art and architecture. The king Vijayabahu I who fought and won the Kingdom back from Chola invaders , dedicated his long reign to develop Buddhism. However after his death, King Parakramabahu I took over and it was the golden age of the kingdom. There were many magnificent buildings as well as attractive gardens and parks built under his leadership. Parakrama Samudraya (Sea), the largest man-made rain water reservoir in the country was created to supply water to the crops and flourish the nations agriculture.

Places to visit in Polonnaruwa

Royal Palace – The royal palace was a huge building. Once archaeologists claimed it had fifty rooms, seven floors and thick walls. Even though today only a few walls remain it still looks spectacular.

Audience hall

This has stunning stone carved foundations with different angled elephants carvings on the walls.

Swimming pool

Once used to be the King’s pool with beautifully carved crocodile mouth spouts.

Sacred Quadrangle

Again a very impressive building, in the middle is a popular place called “Vatadage” a circular building with four sitting Buddha statues and amazing stone carvings.

Shiva Devale (Shiva Temple)

One of the oldest buildings in Polonnaruwa, built by Indian invaders. Amazingly it still remains the same after hundreds of years!

Pabalu Vihara

The third largest Dagoba in Polonnaruwa built in the period of King Parakramabahu I

Rankot Vihara

A stunning fifty four metres tall this Dagoba still remains in excellent condition.

Kiri Vihara

Kiri means milk in the Sinhala language White as milk. The white lime plaster used still remains in good condition after 700 years

Buddha statue at Lankathilaka

This statue is seventeen metres in height, a very impressive site

Gal Vihara

Very popular among tourists, a very quiet peaceful location. The Sitting Buddha seven metres tall, Standing Buddha is fourteen metres long and the Reclining Buddha these are fine pieces of master architecture.