Table of Contents
- Visit Polonnaruwa Sri Lanka
- The lost city of Polonnaruwa Sri Lanka
- How to get to Polonnaruwa
- Accommodation in Polonnaruwa
- Visit Hindu and Buddhist monuments in Polonnaruwa
- Is Polonnaruwa worth visiting?
- Polonnaruwa re-claimed by nature
- 5 popular Sri Lanka tours to visit Polonnaruwa ancient city
- The history of Polonnaruwa is essentially associated with three Sinhalese kings. They are:
- 9 Best places to visit in Polonnaruwa
Visit Polonnaruwa Sri Lanka
Polonnaruwa Sri Lanka is the most popular archaeological site on the island after Anuradhapura. The number of places to see in Polonnaruwa exceeds many dozens. Therefore visiting Polonnaruwa is on the bucket list of most Sri Lankan traveller. Especially, most foreign travellers do not forget to visit Polonnaruwa during their trip to Sri Lanka.
The magnificence of lavish oriental architecture of Polonnaruwa that are packed into splendid medieval buildings, both religious and secular- the remains of which even today serve as stimuli to the imagination-were the handiwork of a brief and brilliant interlude of forty-two years sandwich between two periods of very great national depressions. The King who inspired such tremendous vitalization of the nation’s energy was Parakramabahu, The King reigned for thirty-three years of the forty-two which brought s0lendiur to the city. Indeed, no king more incontrovertibly deserved his title of “the Greta.”
Visiting Polonnaruwa is a perfect opportunity to witness the rich historical past of Sri Lanka because it harbours a large number of Sri Lanka’s historical monuments. There is a large number of important places to visit in Polonnaruwa that deserve your attention. It was the seat of the administration of many Sri Lankan kings from the 10th century AD to the 11th century AD.
The lost city of Polonnaruwa Sri Lanka
Over 150 kilometres from Colombo is Polonnaruwa ancient city, where there is a large number of monuments with high historical value. Polonnaruwa is a leading tourist place in the north-central province of Sri Lanka. The city can be easily reached from Colombo by bus or train (train travel in Sri Lanka). However, Polonnaruwa is not a place for Sri Lanka one day from Colombo. It is included in most multi-day Sri Lanka trips. Polonnaruwa is part of most Sri Lanka cultural triangle tours.
How to get to Polonnaruwa
Polonnaruwa is in the north-central province of Sri Lanka. Polonnaruwa is one of the important cities of Sri Lanka’s cultural triangle. There are many regular buses and trains to Batticaloa via Polonnaruwa. However, both option takes between 6 to 7 hours of journey. Buses and trains are popular transport modes but they can waste your time. Therefore private transport with a local driver is a good investment because it saves you a lot of time.
Accommodation in Polonnaruwa
The tourist accommodation in Polonnaruwa has considerably developed over the past several years and there are several new, luxurious hotels that have been built in the past.
The site is about 60 kilometres from the popular tourist attraction of Sigiriya and a popular activity among travellers and included in most Sri Lanka tour itineraries. Polonnaruwa is among the major cultural places of the cultural triangle of Sri Lanka.
Visit Hindu and Buddhist monuments in Polonnaruwa
Most ancient constructions in Polonnaruwa are closely related to two religions, Buddhism and Hinduism. However, the majority of monuments in the city belongs to Buddhism, other than the few Hindu shrines most historical building in Polonnaruwa was dedicated to Buddhism.
Is Polonnaruwa worth visiting?
It is a question largely based on your interest. If you have a cultural and historical buff, Polonnaruwa is worth visiting. Here you find many dozens of historical monuments belonging to the 10-11 century AD.
Polonnaruwa is the most popular ruined city on the island after Anuradhapura and there is a large number of important places in Polonnaruwa that deserve your attention. It was the seat of the administration of the Chola Empire of South India in 993 AC, following the fall of Anuradhapura.
Today, travellers can explore the partially damaged temples, palaces, Hindu shrines, courtyards, brick walls, statues and many historical buildings at the site. Unlike in Anuradhapura, Polonnaruwa harbours a large number of Hindu religious monuments such as Siva and Vishnu devales.
All visitors to these sacred places are supposed to dress in a particular manner to uphold their religious values. There is a set of rules that every visitor to religious sites observes while visiting sacred places in Sri Lanka. If you are wondering what these rules are, check out this article “13 RULES TO OBSERVE WHILE VISITING SRI LANKA BUDDHIST TEMPLE, SRI LANKA TEMPLE DRESS CODE TEMPLE OF THE TOOTH DRES’ CODE“.
Polonnaruwa re-claimed by nature
The city was abandoned in the 13th century by the Sinhalese kings, due to the unceasing south Indian invasions, and then the uninhabited city was engulfed by mud, sand, and thick vegetation for many centuries.
The city was first re-discovered by British colonial rulers in the 1800s from its ruined state. Thereafter, they started to restore the city in parallel to other archaeological sites such as Sigiriya, Dambulla and Anuradhapura.
Today, Polonnaruwa is a classic example of the advanced civilization that existed in the past. They had achieved tremendous engineering feats such as huge tanks, high rise buildings. Their dedication to the religion is convinced by the huge temple and the Hindu shrines existing at Polonnaruwa. Paintings, sculptures and other artistic works show knowledge of the arts and crafts of the ancient Sinhalese civilization.
The ruined city of Polonnaruwa is one of the places to witness an ancient Ayurveda hospital complex. The Hospital had been well-planned and equipped with all types of equipment for treatments. According to the historical information, the patients were provided with in-house treatments in the hospital and they were given all the facilities at the cost of the state.
5 popular Sri Lanka tours to visit Polonnaruwa ancient city
The history of Polonnaruwa is essentially associated with three Sinhalese kings. They are:
Vijayabahu 1
The king ruled the country from 1055 AD to 1110 AD and creator of the Dambulla golden cave temple. King Vijayabahu was the first Sinhalese king who ruled the country from Polonnaruwa. He liberated the country from the Chola domination and restored the Sinhala kingship in his person.
Parakramabahu 1
The king ascended the throne in 1153 AD and ruled the country through 1186 AD, the King ruled the country from Polonnaruwa. He is the grandson of King Vijayabahu 1. According to the historical notes, the king had undertaken a massive task to restore the religion, agriculture and economy of the country, which was extensively damaged under south Indian rule.
The King had unified the whole country. He constructed a large number of tanks, canals and increased the agricultural output of the country. The king had built many religious monuments such as dagobas, image houses, Hindu shrines and most of them were built in Polonnaruwa.
Nissankamalla
The last king to rule the country from Polonnaruwa. He was on the throne from 1187 AD to 1196 AD. The king had travelled widely in the country and left the most number of inscriptions recordings of his travels, building activities and conquests.
9 Best places to visit in Polonnaruwa
- Vishnu Devala No. 4 Polonnaruwa
- Siva Devala No.5
- Kali Temple
- Shiva Devala
- Archaeological Museum
- Gal Vihara
- Demalamahaseya
- Medirigiriya vatadage
- Vatadage Polonnaruwa
Vishnu Devala No. 4 Polonnaruwa
Vishnu Devala No. 4 is popularly known as the Naipena Vihara (Vihara of the cobra hood). Of the two contiguous Hindu shrines, on the north is the shrine devoted to the worship of Vishnu.
After passing through the entrance porch which stretches on either side of the eastern boundary wall of the premises the devotees go through four antechambers before reaching the sanctum at the western end of the building.
No image of Vishnu was found within but the stone-built pedestal for the statue is to be seen. The presence of a five-headed cobra hood in stucco on the dome of the monument which is fallen in ruins behind the sanctum gave the name Naipena Vihara to this Hindu shrine.
Siva Devala No.5
Siva Devala No.5 -the southernmost monument of Polonnaruwa, which is known as Siva Devala No.5 can be accessed through a porch by the side of the road. There is a hall proceeding the sanctum within which is placed the lingam and Yoni. During the excavation of the shrine, there was a Yoni and a stone of nine-hole reliquary in one of the holes of which there was a small gold figure of the sacred bull.
Among the artefacts unearthed during the first excavation conducted in 1908 were a number of fine bronze of Hindu deities now in the Colombo Museum (J.Royal Asiatic Soc. (Cey. Branch) 16, (1915-16), 189-222. Between September and November 1960 many other bronzes of Siva and other Hindu deities were excavated at this site, and they are exhibited in the Archaeological Museum in Anuradhapura. (J. Royal Asiatic Soc. (Cey.Branch) 7, part 2 (1960), 239-253).
Kali temple
To the southeast of this site, there remains another shrine enclosed by a rubble wall, where the Hindu goddess Kali was worshipped (consort of Siva in her fearful aspect). Two antechambers and a vestibule leading to the sanctum. There is a drain giving out to the northern side and at a higher level, one can see lotus-shaped stone support for a pot.
The outer wall surface is adorned with pilasters fashioned in brick and the west wall has a simulated makara-arch. The status is shown as standing upon the head of the buffalo demon that she slew (mahishasuramaradini) with her eight arms holding her insignia such as the club, sword, shank, discus etc, was removed to the Anuradhapura museum.
Shiva Devala
On the eastern side of the Polonnaruwa signboard, the ruins of a Siva Devala and two subsidiary shrines may be noticed. The linga, yoni, and a statue of the sacred bull that was discovered here were removed to the Anuradhapura museum.
Archaeological Museum
The Archaeological Museum is situated close to the Resthouse by the side of the channel from the Topawewa. Visitors need permits obtained from the Archeological Department of Sri Lanka to make photographs in the museum.
Gal Vihara the most important Buddhist temple in Polonnaruwa
Gal Vihara or Uttararamaya is another popular historical attraction in Polonnaruwa and is included in most Sri Lanka tour packages. A path leads northwards from the Kirivehera and across the gravel road, we enter the monastery of the Galvihara which contains the most outstanding statuary of the Polonnaruwa period.
Image houses are a part of the Uttararama (northern monastery) built by Parakramabahy 1. On approaching the site from the main road we find that the rock outcrop gradually rises and then falls in height from the south-west to the northeast direction. Here the first image house was known as the cave of the seated Buddha though it is not, in fact, a cave but a built image with the rock as background.
The rock-cut seated Buddha with arms folded across the lap in the position of meditation is shown as seated on the throne or seat ornamented with the thunderbolt (vajrasana) and the lion (sinhasana). Behind the head of the Buddha, there is a halo of low relief and higher up an ornamental arch with cusps supported by pillars from which project makara (dragon) heads. In the background are dwellings in the niches of which are seated Buddha figures. All these features are indicative of that aspect of Buddhist worship which includes the recitation of magical verses and which is known as Tantric Buddhism.
The existence of tiny patches of painted limewash on the Buddha statue would indicate that these sculptures were originally painted. The next image house is cut out of the rock and was known as the cave of spiritual knowledge.
A small pillared pavilion is sited in front of the cave and the whole area is surrounded by a wall with an entrance from the southern side, thus making this cave shrine an independent monument. Visitors would note the existence of a grove above the pillar capitals at the entrance to the cave, indicating that there was once a canopy fixed as a lean-to roof at this position.
On either side of the cave, the rock surface was smoothed to a slope. The work of fashioning the slope on the right side of the visitor was completed and the surface of the rock ruled and a long inscription made on it. This inscription records the convening of a Buddhist council by Parakramabahu 1and the establishment of rule for the proper conduct of monks.
Within the cave, there is a statue of the seated Buddha statue on the throne sheltered by a parasol and flanked attendant bearing flywhisks. At a higher level, there are statues of the god Brahma to the right of the Buddha and Vishnu on the left side.
Beyond the rock inscription of Parakramabahu is the standing statue with the arms placed across the chest, which was at first in an image house of its own, as indicated by the meagre remains of brickwork and the holes in the rock background.
There have been two schools of thought regarding the identification of the personality represented by this statue. It was thought that there was shown Ananda, the chief disciple of the Buddha sorrowing at the death of the master. The other theory is that this statue represents the Buddha. There is much to commend both points of view. The latest theory is that the statue represents the Buddha in the second week after enlightenment.
Beyond the standing figure Buddha statue which is in an image house with a separate entrance and two windows in addition. It may be noted that the centre of the cushion on which the head of the Buddha rest is ornamented with the face of a lion a motif found in both Buddhist and Hindu art.
The left foot of the Buddha rests on the right and is slightly drawn back. The feet too rest on a cushion and the soles are ornamented with the lotus flower, one of the auspicious signs of the Buddha. Before the sanctum, there is a small vestibule and here can be seen provision for doors.
Demalamahaseya
The gravel road takes the visitor further north and a footpath to the right leads the visitor to a wooded hill the slope of which is strewn with brickbats, and on the flat summit of which there stands a dagoba on a rubble platform.
The hill represents Demalamahaseya the largest dagoba on the island and is so named as Parakramabahu is stated to have utilized Tamil labour in the form of captured forces from his south India campaign. As the colossal dagoba was not completed a smaller dagoba was built at some later date on the summit of the hill.
Medirigiriya vatadage Polonnaruwa
Medirigirya Vatadage of central province Sri Lanka is one of the least-known tourist attractions on the island and is rarely included in Sri Lanka tour itineraries. But it is worth a visit if you have time during your Sri Lanka tour and beach holiday package because it was built with a unique architectural style and showcased the engineering skills of ancient engineers.
The most important and attractive building of the Medirigiriya historical temple is identified as the Vatadage or circular image house. Vatadage is located on a natural rock with a higher elevation. The main entrance of the temple is located towards the northern direction of the image house. The giant doors are supported by granite door frames that are with a dimension of 9’ 9” * 4’ 9”.
Magnificently carved moonstones can be seen before entering the Vatadage. The flight of steps with 25 steps, behind the door, paves the way for the Vatadage. There is a Verandah with the size of 25’ * 25’ adding some imposing look to the construction.
The Verandah is situated 13’6” above the surrounding plain. A few steps further up are the outer terrace of the Vatadage. There was a wall between the inner terrace and an outer terrace with four doors allowing the people to move between the two terraces. Today the wall is in very bad condition and not restore for a long time.
There are two Punkalas or full pots on both sides of the entrance of the Vatadage. This is signifying the prosperity of the temple. A stupa is placed in the middle of the inner terrace, which is believed to be constructed before the circular building. The diameter of the dagoba is 26’ and the height is 5’. There had been four Buddha statues on the inner terrace facing the four cardinal points. The statues were constructed in Dyana mudra.
At present only 2 Buddha statues are in good condition while the other statues were damaged in the past. There are a few platforms in the inner terrace made of bricks. Prof. Paranawithana in the opinion that they were built to place Bodhistava statues but there are no traces of Bodhistava statues found so far.
The Vatadage is consisting of three rows of stone pillars right around the terrace. The stone pillars are an octagonal shape, the top end and the bottom end of the pillars are decorated with flower decorations. The outermost row of stone pillars consists of 32 pillars and it is 9 feet in height.
The distance to the outermost circles of pillars from the centre of the building is 14’5”. There are 20 stone pillars in the middle row of stone pillars and it is 16 feet in height. The stone pillars of the innermost row are 17 feet in height and there are 16 pillars in the row.
The stone wall between the second and third rows of stone pillars is damaged but originally existed right around the whole construction. There had been a stone wall in between the stone pillars of the centre raw. The wall is named Galgaradi Weta and is 3’6” in height. According to the archaeologists, the circular building was constructed in the 8th Century AD to protect a Stupa. The circumference of the terrace is 11.43 meters.
Archaeologists have different opinions on the roof of the circular house. According to Prof. Paranawithana, it had been built with wooden, flat tiles. The tiles were in a semi-circle cone shape.
Vatadage Polonnaruwa
In the direction of North-West from the Vatadage are the 2 image houses of the temple. There are a few Buddha statues in good condition in the first image house. In the South-East direction from the first image house is the other construction with a reclining Buddha statue but badly damaged.