After the destruction of Anuradhapura Kingdom in 993, Polonnaruwa became the second capital of Sri Lanka. The city was a thriving commercial and religious center. It comprises, besides the Brahmanic monuments built by the Cholas, the monumental ruins of the fabulous garden-city created by Parakramabahu I in the 12th century. The glories of that era can be seen in archaeological treasures that illustrate how the city looked during its glory days.
Place to see in the Ancient City of Polonnaruwa
Royal Palace
The massive structure of Ancient City is the Royal Palace Group dates from the period of King Parakramabahu I (1153 – 1186). The palace Constructed as seven story building with 1000 rooms, but today now remains only parts of 3 floors and ruins of 55 rooms.
The Royal Citadel has many interesting monuments.
01. The handsome royal bath – the Kumara Pokuna.
02. The beautiful Royal Audience Hall – embellished with lion portals, graceful pillars and a moonstone.
Parakrama Samudraya in Polonnaruwa
Parakrama Samudraya built by King Parakramabahu the great, is the largest ancient man-made rainwater reservoir in Sri Lanka spreading over an area of 2500 hectares and having a capacity of 134 million cubic meters of water is the lifeline to the agricultural district of Polonnaruwa and its surroundings.
The Sacred Quadrangle & Vatadage
Quadrangle is a compact group of beautiful and impressive ruins within a raised up platform bounded by a wall. This is the most focused collection of buildings in the whole Ancient City. In the middle of the Quadrangle is The Vatadage.
Potgul Vehera in Polonnaruwa
This is the oldest library complex found in Sri Lanaka. Pothgul means for a place to store books. The interesting point in this building is the circular structure in the middle, seems the main library, made out of brick. The circular shape roof even made out of bricks it seems.
Shiva Devale in Polonnaruwa
This is the oldest building in Polonnaruwa as it dates back to the brief South Indian Chola dynasty period (around 1070) when the Indian invaders established the city. Hindu temple built entirely of stone dedicated to God Shiva of 12th century vintage.
Thuparama in Polonnaruwa
Thuparama, a brick-built gedige is in a fine state of preservation. Thuparama, the oldest image house at Polonnaruwa goes back to the reign of King Vijayabahu the first (1055-1110 A.D.). It is thought that this was built by a minister of King Parakramabahu (1153-1186) called Mahinda to house the tooth relic.
Nissanka Latha Mandapa
Nisshanka Latha Mandapaya is an innovative work of art depicting the splendor of classical architecture is located in the Polonnaruwa Dalada Maluwa, where the Tooth Relic of Load Buddha was located in Polonnaruwa period. This the place where king Nissanka Malla(1187-1196 AD) used to come and listen the Pirith Chanting.
Gal Viharaya
This is a group of stone beautiful Buddha images that probably marks the high point of Sinhalese rock carving. The Gal Vihara consists of four separate Lord Buddha images, all cut from one long slab of granite. At one time each was enshrined within a separate enclosure.
The Sathmahal Prasada
The Sathmahal Prasada Seven storied a unique type of brick structural pagoda in Polonnaruwa Dalada Maluwa. According to some archaeologist, this structure is a special type of Dageba found in other Buddhist countries such as Thailand or Cambodia.
Hatadage and Atadage in Polonnaruwa
Hatadage and Atadage are Sacred Tooth relic temples in Polonnaruwa built by king Wijayabahu and king Nissankamalla. The 11th century for kept the Sacred Tooth Relic of Buddha. Both are handsome structures embellished with fine carvings.
Gal Potha (Stone Book) in Polonnaruwa
Gal Potha is a massive 26 ft. slab of stone that in King Nissankamalla had his own deeds recorded in stone. Also contain particulars of King Nissankamalla’s genealogy and his wars with Dravidian invaders from South India. The inscription itself says that the slab of stone was brought to the location from Mihintale.
Pabalu Vehera in Polonnaruwa
The Pabulu Vehera or Coral Shrine, It is said to have built by Rupavati, one of the queens of Parakramabahu. The stupa is surrounded by four image houses located in the cardinal points. These contain the limestone statues of Buddha are sculpted in different postures.
Rankoth Vehera in Polonnaruwa
Rankoth Vehera built by King Nissankamalla, is the largest dagoba in Polonnaruwa. This stupa was constructed with in same shape as the Ruwanweli Maha Seya in Anuradhapura.
Lankatilaka in Polonnaruwa
Lankatilaka shrine, one of the most splendid of Buddhist shrines in Asia in the 12th century. This enormous brick structure consists of include 55ft. high walls, elaborate carvings and a colossal image of Buddha. The Lankatilaka shrine Image House is a fine example of vaulted shrines called gedige’s.
Kiri Vehera in Polonnaruwa
The beautiful dagaba Kiri Vihara (meaning “milk-white”) was built in honor of the Queen Subhadra, a consort of King Parakramabahu. Noted for its perfect proportions, Kiri Vehera is the best preserved of Sri Lanka’s dagobas.
Nelum Pokuna (Lotus Bath) in Polonnaruwa
The Nelum Pokuna (Sinhala: lotus pond), built by King Parakramabahu the great in a design of 8 petaled lotus flowers. The Lotus pond is believed to have been used for ritual baths for the pilgrims visiting Tivanka-patanaghara image house.
