Polonnaruwa is the main town of Polonnaruwa District, which is in the north-central province of Sri Lanka. In ancient times it was referred to as pulathisipura and vijayarajapura. Polonnaruwa remains an ancient royal city of the kingdom of Polonnaruwa. In Sri Lanka, it is the second oldest kingdom. In the 10th century, after the Chola invasion, it gained importance. The Cholas renamed it Jananathamangalam. Polonnaruwa has been declared a world heritage site because of its well-preserved ancient structures. King Parakramabahu I made Polonnaruwa a prosperous city, and it shows the greatness of the Sinhala kingdom. There are many significant places to visit in Polonnaruwa, which highlight its rich history and cultural heritage.
Would you like to know more about the Polonnaruwa where history resides? Come I’ll take you to the forgotten gem in Sri Lanka.
There are more places to visit in Polonnaruwa, such as:
| Vatadage | Royal palace of king maha Parakramabahu |
| Stupa | Polonnaruwa sivan kovil |
| Uththararamaya | Pabalu vehera |
| Dalada mauve | Lankatilaka temple |
| Nissanka lata mandapa | Pothugul viharaya |
| The place of King Parakramabahu | Menik vehera |
| Parakramabahu Samudra | Hatadage |
Vatadage
From Sri Lanka’s ancient times, it is a remarkable architectural masterpiece. This structure was designed to protect a sacred relic. It happened during the reign of Parakramabaku I or Nissanga Malla.it is a place of immense religious importance. It shows that its complicated stone carvings and circular design reflect the craftsmanship of the time. In 1903 vatadage was forgotten for centuries until excavations began, which brought this wonderful history back into focus.
Lankatilaka Temple
This temple is a beautiful testament to the cultural exchange and artistic innovation of its time. It was built in the 14th century. King Bhuvanekabahu IV built this temple and it was overseen by his chief minister, Senalankadhikara who successfully finished the works of the temple. Its architecture represents a harmonious amalgamation of various artistic traditions. This temple is built on an uneven rock and it rises to a height of eighty feet. Its foundation is made of granite, and the rest of the structure is made of brick. You can experience this historical place and it is beautiful, captivating every individual who passes within its bounds.
The Place of King Parakramabahu
From 1153 to 1186 the great powerful king Parakramabahu ruled Polonnaruwa. This beautiful and prosperous city was made by him. He changed Buddhism, improved agriculture with large irrigation systems, and built a strong army. He fought in India and Burma and also he was interested in art and culture. He built many temples and hospitals and also he built large lakes for water and trade. He said, “No water should be wasted.”
King Parakramabahu improved his army and people’s lives made peace in the country and ruled wisely until his death.
Parakramabahu Samudra
This Samudra was built by King Parakramabahu. What you see today as parakrama Samudra is only a part of his original creation.
The Main Five Reservoirs
Thopa vawa
Eramudu vewa
Dumbuthulu vewa
Kalahagala Vewa
Bhu Vewa
To reduce the pressure on the main dam, five large reservoirs are separated by smaller dams. Many smaller tanks have been built around the main tank.
Uththararamaya
In Sri Lanka, Gal Vihara is a famous Buddhist site. It was built by King Parakramabahu I in the 12th century. It is originally called Uttara Rama. It has four large Buddha statues carved directly into the rock face. Once there were beautiful paintings, but unfortunately been lost. The stone monastery was a remarkable center of Buddhist learning and King Parakramabaku held a meeting of Buddhist monks there and established a code of conduct. When the kingdom of Polonnaruwa fell, unfortunately, the monastery was abandoned.
Menik Vehera
It is in the Polonnaruwa kingdom of Sri Lanka. It is one of the oldest structures in the region. In the 8th century, this ancient complex is believed to have been built. It has two special buildings. One is near the stupa and there are four Buddha statues. The other building is smaller and has only one Buddha statue which is made of stone. These stones have pictures of bulls but at Menik Vehera they have pictures of elephants.
Palace of King Parakramabahu the Great
It is an awesome palace built by King Parakramabahu I with seven floors. Can u believe there are 1000 rooms in the palace? Today it’s huge and you can see thick walls and a staircase at the bottom of the palace. So, do you need to know more about the stories? Visit Polonnaruwa and explore more beautiful and interesting historical sites during your Polonnaruwa Holidays.
