Polonnaruwa
The Mahavamsa (Great Chronicle) records the earlier period of the Sri Lankan, and Chulavamsa (lesser Chronicle), gives an accurate picture of the 'Polonnaruwa' period.
From this chronicle we learn that Aggabodhi IV (667 - 685) AD was the first Sri Lankan King who lived in Polonnaruwa, and the town came gradually to become the 'Country Residence' of royalty. Anuradhapura, the formal and administrative capital, was already a thousand years old, and kings increasingly favoured the new city of Polonnaruwa, and developed it. However it was the Cholas of South India who made Polonnaruwa the capital after looting and burning Anuradhapura in 993 AD.
King Parakramabahu I (1153-86) raised Polonnaruwa to its heights. He erected huge buildings, drained swamps and planted vast areas with crops, planned beautiful parks, created wildlife sanctuaries, restored earlier monuments & even undertook military expeditions against Burma and India.
However his crowning achievements were the creation of the 2400 hectare tank (about 15 Km2), so large it was named the Parakrama Samudra (Sea of Parakrama); and the unification of the three orders of monks, the Maha vihara, Jetavana and Abhayagiri into one Sangha or 'Supreme Order of Monks'. The greatness of his achievement was to ensure the survival of Buddhism in the dark centuries ahead.
Parakramabahu was the last great king of Sri Lanka.
King Nissankamalla (1187 - 96), although claimed himself to be a great builder, was not. And squandered most of the country's wealth trying to match his predecessor's deeds.
The capital was shifted to Kurunegala, and Polonnaruwa returned to the jungle; it's great reservoirs survived as a series of swampy lakes, and its large brick buildings became lost under thick tropical forest. The Portuguese are said to have raided and looted Polonnaruwa, but by the early nineteenth century the site was completely lost.
In the early years of this century the main monuments of the ancient city were uncovered. Today, conservation and excavations continue, as part of the work of the Cultural Triangle.
"Polonnaruwa The Medieval capital of Sri Lanka"
The history of early Sri Lanka was very carefully recorded and written down by monks.The Mahavamsa (Great Chronicle) records the earlier period of the Sri Lankan, and Chulavamsa (lesser Chronicle), gives an accurate picture of the 'Polonnaruwa' period.
King Aggabodhi IV
From this chronicle we learn that Aggabodhi IV (667 - 685) AD was the first Sri Lankan King who lived in Polonnaruwa, and the town came gradually to become the 'Country Residence' of royalty. Anuradhapura, the formal and administrative capital, was already a thousand years old, and kings increasingly favoured the new city of Polonnaruwa, and developed it. However it was the Cholas of South India who made Polonnaruwa the capital after looting and burning Anuradhapura in 993 AD.King Vijayabahu I
In 1070 AD the Sinhala King Vijayabahu I liberated the country by defeating the Cholas, and kept Polonnaruwa as his capital. Vijayabahu succeeded in repairing much of the irrigation system in the island, encouraged trade and brought some prosperity back to the country.King Parakramabahu I
King Parakramabahu I (1153-86) raised Polonnaruwa to its heights. He erected huge buildings, drained swamps and planted vast areas with crops, planned beautiful parks, created wildlife sanctuaries, restored earlier monuments & even undertook military expeditions against Burma and India.However his crowning achievements were the creation of the 2400 hectare tank (about 15 Km2), so large it was named the Parakrama Samudra (Sea of Parakrama); and the unification of the three orders of monks, the Maha vihara, Jetavana and Abhayagiri into one Sangha or 'Supreme Order of Monks'. The greatness of his achievement was to ensure the survival of Buddhism in the dark centuries ahead.
Parakramabahu was the last great king of Sri Lanka.
King Nissankamalla
King Nissankamalla (1187 - 96), although claimed himself to be a great builder, was not. And squandered most of the country's wealth trying to match his predecessor's deeds.The decline of Polonnaruwa
After Nissankamalla's death, Polonnaruwa went to decline, civil war, lawlessness and constant invasions from the South Indian Chola Empire, and Malay barbarians who sacked the city several times, virtually destroyed the social structure and religious order of the country. A whole century after this were the 'Dark Ages' of Sri Lanka, a century from which few historical records survive.The capital was shifted to Kurunegala, and Polonnaruwa returned to the jungle; it's great reservoirs survived as a series of swampy lakes, and its large brick buildings became lost under thick tropical forest. The Portuguese are said to have raided and looted Polonnaruwa, but by the early nineteenth century the site was completely lost.
In the early years of this century the main monuments of the ancient city were uncovered. Today, conservation and excavations continue, as part of the work of the Cultural Triangle.
Must Visit Places in Polonnaruwa
There are many places to visit in Polonnaruwa, as with most ancient cities in Sri Lanka they mostly consist of temples, statues, ponds and castles. Polonnaruwa was the second capital of Sri Lanka and the most developed city after Anuradhapura in the time of kings. One of the main reasons for choosing Polonnaruwa over Anuradhapura was the constant threat of South Indian armies. Polonnaruwa was much easier to defend and it had some natural fortifications. Because the focus was mainly on defense and also because of the constant wars you want find many shrines as in Anuradhapura but there are still quite a few great places to see in Polonnaruwa. In this article I will discuss about the best places to visit in this world heritage site.
Gal Viharaya
The most famous tourist attraction in Polonnaruwa and a must visit place if you go to Polonnaruwa. It is a Buddhist shrine where four statues of Lord Buddha are carved out of the rock. The skill shown here is amazing since there is hardly room for error when your carving out statues from pure rock. There are some beautiful patterns carved out in the stone as well around the Buddha statue that is in a seated position. There are four Buddha statues, one standing up, one in a reclined position and other in a seated position. There are lots of historic tales about the place and if you happen to find a good guide you can hear most of them. Please make sure not to turn your back towards the statues when takingphotographs as a mark of respect.
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Standing statue of Lord Buddha in Gal viharaya - Polonnaruwa
Polonnaruwa Museum
This is a great place to learn about the various must visit sites in Polonnaruwa. If you are hoping to explore the city in detail then this is the best place to start. Various attractions are clearly market here so you can plan your trip accordingly. There is a visitor information center as well so you can get help in planning your trip.
Polonnaruwa Museum
This is a great place to learn about the various must visit sites in Polonnaruwa. If you are hoping to explore the city in detail then this is the best place to start. Various attractions are clearly market here so you can plan your trip accordingly. There is a visitor information center as well so you can get help in planning your trip.
Nissanka Latha Mandapaya in Polonnaruwa
Nissanka Latha Mandapaya
One of the most well preserved buildings in Polonnaruwa, the place got it name from the king who built it, King Nissanka Malla. This was used by the king to listen to "Pirith". This is a beautiful building with some unique carvings and well preserved stone columns. The stone columns must have supported a roof during that time. This is a unique building so it is advisable to add this to your itinerary if you are visiting Polonnaruwa.
Lankathilaka Temple
An impressive building around 18M in height, this was built by King Parakramabahu. There is statue of Lord Buddha inside the temple although the head is missing in the statue. Other than that there are lots of beautiful carvings in the temple walls. Some well preserved guard stones can also be found here.
The Royal Palace
Another building built by King Parakramabahu during the golden age of Polonnaruwa. Although the stone walls of the lower level is remaining it is believed that the palace was seven stories high one of the most beautiful buildings in Polonnaruwa. Stone lion carving and walls with elephants carved in them can be found here.
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