Polonnaruwa - Discover Sri Lanka with Bruno

Polonnaruwa

Polonnaruwa was the second capital of Sri Lanka after the destruction of Anuradhapura in 993. 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.

You'll find the archaeological park a delight to explore, with hundreds of ancient structures – tombs and temples, statues and stupas – in a compact core.

Polonnaruwa can be reached by main road Colombo-Habarana main road (A6) and then by Habarana-Polonnaruwa (A11) main road. Colombo-Batticaloa railway line runs via Polonnaruwa. The railway station as well as the main bus station is 4km straight east of the town center at Kaduruwela.

  • PROVINCE: NORTH CENTRAL
  • DISTRICT: POLONNARUWA
  • POPULAR FOR: ANCIENT RUINS
  • WEATHER: 31 °C
  • TYPE: CULTURE
  • POPULATION : 359,000
  • AREA: 3,293 KM²

Colombo to Polonnaruwa distance 229.0km

Dimbulagala Raja Maha Viharaya

About 12 miles to the east of the ancient kingdom Polonnaruwa on the east side of the Mahaweli is situated at the beautiful hilly range – Dimbulagala. In our ancient Pali texts this range is referred to as Udumbara – giri. ‘Udumbara’ is a name for wood apples, and ‘giri’ means hills/mountain. Dimbulagala was also known as ‘Dola Pabbatha’.

The Dimbulagala range houses a number of caves cut into the rock with Brahmi inscriptions over their drip ledges. This forest hermitage of medieval times and holy abode since time immemorial, home to some of the most valued fragments of early frescoes was called the Gunners Quoin by the British. This Buddhist monastery which was abandoned after the times of the Kingdom of Polonnaruwa was restored to the present status in the 1950s due to the efforts of Kithalagama Sri Seelalankara Thera.

Nissankalata Mandapa

Nissankalata Mandapa is situated in Polonnaruwa in Sri Lanka. It is quite a unique structure and it is open on all sides and protects the people who are inside. It is believed that back in the past Mandapas was used as a recitation platform during remembrance ceremonies for the dead.

A màndapa is a pillared structure that is open on all sides and protects the person inside from the sun with a roof. By definition, as of the 20th century, mándapas, as temporary structures, are built inside a house or a building and serve as recitation platform during remembrance ceremonies for the dead. Built by King Nissanka Malla and named after him, it is located near the western entrance of the Dalada Maluva, the area that contains the oldest and most sacred monuments in the city. A nearby stone inscription identifies this as the building used by Nissanka Malla to listen to pirith.

Angammedilla National Park

Angammedilla National Park is one of the new national parks in Sri Lanka. The region was designated national park on 6 June 2006. Originally Angammedilla was a forest reserve within the Minneriya-Girithale Sanctuary declared on 12 February 1988. Angammedilla also secures the drainage basins of Minneriya and Girithale irrigation tanks, water sources in Sudu Kanda and habitats and wildlife of the adjacent forests. It is located 225 kilometres away from Colombo in Polonnaruwa District.

Vatadage

This beautiful Stupa House (Vatadage) has been built before the time of Nissanga Malla (1187-1196) but he has carried out major renovations on this building. So what you see today is probably his work.

The Polonnaruwa Vatadage is an ancient structure dating back to the Kingdom of Polonnaruwa of Sri Lanka. It is believed to have been built during the reign of Parakramabahu I to hold the Relic of the tooth of the Buddha or during the reign of Nissanka Malla of Polonnaruwa to hold the alms bowl used by the Buddha. Located within the ancient city of Polonnaruwa, it is the best preserved example of a vatadage in the country, and has been described as the "ultimate development" of this type of architecture. Abandoned for several centuries, excavation work at the Polonnaruwa Vatadage began in 1903. Built for the protection of a small stupa, the structure has two stone platforms decorated with elaborate stone carvings.

Parakrama Samudra

Sri Lanka has two large monsoon seasons, each lasting about three months. The rest of year remains dry and hot, except for a few short heat induced thunderstorms at night. This climate, with its lack of regular water, can have a devastating effect on those who make a living from agriculture. Parakrama Samudra in Sri Lanka was one such solution to the problem of lack of water.

Parakrama Samudraya originally consisted of five large reservoirs separated by smaller dams to reduce the pressure on the main dam. Many smaller tanks has been built around the main tank to feed these primary tanks and to take in excess water.

Gal Vihara (Rock Temple)

The Gal Vihara, also known as Gal Viharaya and originally as the Uttararama, is a rock temple of the Buddha situated in the ancient city of Polonnaruwa in North Central Province, Sri Lanka. It was fashioned in the 12th century by Parakramabahu I. The images consist of a large seated figure, another smaller seated figure inside an artificial cavern, a standing figure and a reclining figure. These are considered to be some of the best examples of ancient Sinhalese sculpting and carving arts, and have made the Gal Vihara the most visited monument at Polonnaruwa. The images of Uttararama follow a different style from the images of the previous Anuradhapura period. The identity of the standing image is subject to a certain amount of dispute among historians and archaeologists, some of whom argue that it depicts the monk Ananda rather than the Buddha.

Giritale Wewa

Giritale tank is a reservoir in Giritale and Minneriya. It was built by King Agbo II (608-618). It is believed that the tank was renovated by King Parakramabahu, the Great (1153–1186) Later, it was subjected to renovation in 1905, 1942 and 1952 during colonial era.

Minneriya National Park

Set in the heart of the popular cultural triangle of Sri Lanka, Minneriya National Park is mostly known for its incredible elephant migration, which is one of Asia’s finest wildlife experiences. During the drier months of June to September, as many as 300 elephants congregate in the Minneriya National Park around the ancient Minneriya water tank (which dates back to 3rd Century AD), taking advantage of the receding waters that provide an important water source.

The area is situated in dry zone of Sri Lanka and receives an average rainfall of 1,500–2,000 millimetres (59–79 in).[1] The lowest temperature and highest of the park are 20.6 °C (69.1 °F) and 34.5 °C (94.1 °F) respectively. The main sources of water for the tank are a diversion of Amban River and Elahera canal. . The main habitats of Minneriya are of several types, including low-canopy montane forests, intermediate high-canopy secondary forests, scrublands, abandoned chena lands, grasslands, rocky outcrops, and wetlands.

Religious Significance of Polonnaruwa

Buddhist pilgrimages are organised among people to visit ancient ruins of temples, stupas and even hindu temples. Rankot Vihara, the largest stupa in the city is about 180 ft high. Lankathilaka Gedige, buil during the rule of Parakramabahu, however the roof of it is missing but still is worth a visit to view the temple's magnificence. Kiri Vihara another stupa redicovered during the 19th century, it was surrounded by the dense forest and thereby wasn't known to man for long periods of time.

Ancient city of Polonnaruwa

Polonnaruwa is the 2nd largest city in north central province. But it is known as one of the cleaner and more beautiful cities in the country. The greeny environment houses amazing ancient constructions, Parakrama Samudraya and above all nice hospitable people. Scientific observation has been made about its climate changes it has been noted that the temperature of the later part in the year drops significantly low.

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