Polonnaruwa Ancient City | BOL

Polonnaruwa Tours , Tours in Polonnaruwa sacred city , Tours in Polonnaruwa Sri Lanka , Polonnaruwa Sacred City visit , Visit Polonnaruwa Ruins , Ruins in Polonnaruwa , Visit Sri Lanka Sacred City

Polonnaruwa was a kingdom in ancient Sri Lanka that flourished between the 11th and 13th centuries AD. It was the second capital of Sri Lanka, succeeding the city of Anuradhapura, and was established by King Vijayabahu I in 1070 AD.During its peak, Polonnaruwa was a center of Buddhist art and culture, and was home to a thriving economy based on agriculture, trade, and commerce. The city was known for its impressive buildings and monuments, including the Royal Palace, the Quadrangle, the Gal Vihara, and the Lotus Pond, among others. The name Polonnaruwa is belived to come from the great hindu sage “Pulasthi”.

Polonnaruwa was also a center of learning, and many scholars and monks flocked to the city to study and teach. The kingdom was known for its irrigation systems, which were vital for the cultivation of rice and other crops, and helped to sustain the kingdom’s prosperity.However, Polonnaruwa’s prosperity was short-lived. The kingdom was repeatedly invaded by foreign powers, including the Cholas from South India, and was eventually conquered by the Kalinga Dynasty of East India in the late 12th century. It was renamed Jananathamangalam by the Chola dynasty after their successful invasion of the country’s then capital, Anuradhapura.The city was abandoned soon after, and fell into ruin.following the year 1070 AD ended the Chola rule in the island, and Polonnaruwa was captured by Vijayabahu I of Polonnaruwa also known as Vijayabahu the great.

Today, Polonnaruwa is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and its ruins are a popular tourist destination in Sri Lanka.Parakrama Samudra (a huge lake built in 1200), and attractive tourist hotels and hospitable people, make it a tourism hotspot. Visitors can explore the ancient city’s impressive buildings, temples, and monuments, and learn about the kingdom’s rich history and cultural heritage.

Another draw for tourists is the city’s population of toque macaques. The monkeys have been living in the ruins since the human occupation and continued to thrive there long after the humans left. December to February is considerd as the most favorable time to vist Polonnaruwa beacuse of the cool cimate.

Gal Viharaya

The Gal Viharaya consists of four large statues of the Buddha, each carved out of a single granite boulder. The largest statue is a standing Buddha, measuring 7 meters in height, while the other three statues are seated or reclining Buddhas. Each statue is depicted in a different mudra or hand gesture, symbolizing different aspects of the Buddha’s teachings.The Gal Viharaya is located within the grounds of the ancient monastery complex of Parakramabahu I, who ruled the kingdom of Polonnaruwa from 1153 to 1186 AD. The site is believed to have been created during his reign and was likely used as a place of worship and meditation by the monks who lived there.

Rankoth Vehera

Rankoth Vehera is a stupa (a dome-shaped shrine) located in Polonnaruwa.It is one of the most impressive and well-preserved stupas in the ancient city, and is considered a significant example of Sinhalese Buddhist architecture.The stupa was constructed during the reign of King Nissanka Malla (1187–1196 AD) and is believed to have been built on the site of an earlier stupa. It stands at a height of 55 meters and is decorated with intricate carvings and sculptures, including depictions of the Buddha, animals, and mythical creatures.

Lankathilaka Temple

Lankathilaka Temple is an ancient Buddhist temple located in Polonnaruwa. It was built during the reign of King Parakramabahu I in the 12th century AD and is considered one of the most impressive examples of ancient Sinhalese architecture.The temple is known for its unique design, which features a massive brick and mortar image house with a tall, slender interior. The walls of the image house are adorned with intricate carvings and sculptures depicting Buddhist themes and mythological creatures.

Royal Palace

The Royal Palace of Polonnaruwa was the residence of the rulers of the ancient Kingdom of Polonnaruwa, located in the North Central Province of Sri Lanka. It was built in the 12th century AD by King Parakramabahu I, who ruled the kingdom from 1153 to 1186 AD.The palace was an impressive structure, consisting of several stories and containing numerous chambers and halls. It was constructed of brick and mortar and was adorned with intricate carvings and decorations, including depictions of animals and mythical creatures.

Shiva Temple 01

The Shiva Temple №1 is an ancient Hindu temple located in Polonnaruwa. it was built during the reign of King Rajendra Chola I (1014–1044 AD) and is considered one of the most impressive examples of South Indian Dravidian architecture in Sri Lanka.The temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva, one of the most important deities in Hinduism, and is believed to have served as a place of worship and pilgrimage for Hindus during the Polonnaruwa period. The temple is constructed of stone and features intricate carvings and sculptures depicting scenes from Hindu mythology.

Audience Hall

The Audience Hall, also known as the “Nissanka Latha Mandapaya”, is an ancient structure located in the ancient city of Polonnaruwa. It was built during the reign of King Nissanka Malla in the 12th century AD and served as the king’s royal audience hall.The hall is located in the center of the Royal Palace complex and is constructed of stone, with intricate carvings and sculptures adorning its walls and pillars. It was designed to accommodate large gatherings of people and was used for a variety of purposes, including royal ceremonies, public meetings, and religious events.

The Sacred Quadrangle

The Polonnaruwa Watadageya, also known as the “Circular Relic House”, is an ancient Buddhist structure located in Polonnaruwa. It was built in the 12th century AD by King Parakramabahu the Great and served as a shrine for the Buddha’s tooth relic.The Watadageya is constructed of stone and features a circular design, with four entrances facing the cardinal directions. The structure is supported by a series of concentric stone walls, with each wall featuring intricate carvings and sculptures depicting scenes from Buddhist mythology.

Parakrama Samudara Tank

Parakrama Samudra is a man-made reservoir, also known as a tank, located in Polonnaruwa. It was built in the 12th century AD by King Parakramabahu the Great and is considered one of the largest ancient irrigation systems in the world.The Parakrama Samudra tank is fed by a network of canals and channels that collect water from the surrounding area. The tank is designed to store and distribute water to the surrounding fields and farms, providing a reliable source of water for agriculture and irrigation.

Pabalu Vehera

Pabalu Vehera is an ancient Buddhist temple located in Polonnaruwa. It was built during the reign of King Parakramabahu I in the 12th century AD and is considered one of the most important religious sites in Polonnaruwa.The temple is constructed of stone and features a large stupa (dome-shaped structure) that is adorned with intricate carvings and sculptures. The stupa is surrounded by a series of smaller shrines and buildings, including a mandapa (hall) and a dagoba (shrine).

Royal Swimming Pool

the Royal Bathing Pool or “Kumara Pokuna” is in Polonnaruwa, It is located within the Royal Palace complex and is believed to have been built during the reign of King Parakramabahu the Great in the 12th century AD.The Royal Bathing Pool is a rectangular-shaped structure that measures approximately 56 meters by 19 meters. It is divided into two sections, with one section featuring a smaller pool for bathing and the other section featuring a larger pool for swimming. The structure is constructed of stone and features intricate carvings and sculptures depicting scenes from Buddhist mythology.

Kiri Vehera Stupa

Kiri Vehera is an ancient Buddhist stupa located in Polonnaruwa. It was built during the reign of King Parakramabahu the Great in the 12th century AD and is considered one of the most important religious sites in Polonnaruwa.The stupa is constructed of brick and is covered in white plaster, giving it its name “Kiri Vehera”, which means “Milk White Stupa”. It is surrounded by a circular terrace and features four flights of steps leading up to the top of the stupa. The stupa is approximately 90 feet in height and 280 feet in circumference.

Shiva Temple 02

The Shiva Temple №2 is another ancient Hindu temple located in Polonnaruwa. It was built during the reign of King Nissanka Malla (1187–1196 AD) and is considered one of the finest examples of Hindu temple architecture in Sri Lanka.The temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva and is constructed of stone, with intricate carvings and sculptures depicting scenes from Hindu mythology. One of the most impressive features of the temple is its mandapa (hall), which is supported by ornately carved pillars and features a roof decorated with lotus petals.