Potgul Vehera

parakramabahu Statue

Royal palace

Kumara Pokuna

Vatadage

Vatadage

Siva Devala

Thuparama

Nissanka Lata Mandapa

Satmahal Prasada

Hatadage

Galpotha

Pabulu Vehera

Rankot Vehera

Lankathilake

Kiri Vehera

Gal Vihara

Gal Vihara

Demala maha seya

Lous bath

Tivanka Image House

Polonnaruwa, the Ancient Medieval Capital of Sri Lanka

Polonnaruwa in Sri Lanka, the medieval capital of Sri Lanka from the eleventh to the thirteenth century A.D., is situated in the North Central province. Polonnaruwa was the second capital of ancient Sri Lanka after the destruction of Anuradhapura in 993. It comprises, besides the Brahmanic monuments built by the Cholas, the monumental.

During the time when Sri Lanka’s capital Anuradhapura was flourishing, Polonnaruwa served as a fortified outpost where Sinhala garrisons camped during the period of internal strife between the rivals of Anuradhapura in the north and Mahagama in the south. The strategic significance of Polonnaruwa lay in its ability to command the river crossings of the Mahaweli, thus providing a buffer against the invading armies. Thus, Polonnaruwa gained the status of an important city, even in Anuradhapura times.

The ancient Sinhala rulers built vast irrigation reservoirs almost from the beginning of written history, and by the twelfth century a flourishing agrarian economy had made Sri Lanka self sufficient in food. The kings of Anuradhapura built large reservoirs throughout the island. In the 4th century A.D., the great builder King Mahasena, was responsible for the construction of the Minneriya not far from Polonnaruwa. One of the greatest achievements during the Polonnaruwa period was Parakrama Samudra or “Inland Sea”, which was constructed with the combining 3 reservoirs including famous Topavava. Parakramabahu I, the greatest ruler of Polonnaruwa was responsible for the construction of Parakrama Samudra.

With the development of irrigation works and agricultural activities, Polonnaruwa became a flourishing city. From about the seventh century. Polonnaruwa became the country residence of the royality of Anuradhapura. Polonnaruwa enjoyed a highly strategic position due to it is being far from the north-western shores, which acted as an entry-point for the South-Indian invaders. Polonnaruwa gradually became as important as the thousand year old city of Anuradhapura.

The ancient city of Polonnaruwa covers an area of about 122 hectures, spread out to a distance of about five Km from north to south and 3 Km from east to west. The main city comprises a walled inner citadel and an outer walled city provided with four main gateways. The streets are laid out on a regular grid, orientated north-south and east-west. The walled citadel, containing the royal palace complex, covers an area of about 10 acres. The building within the citadel and those outside it conform to their individual requirements and are carefully planned on terraces. The architects have taken advantage of the undulations of the site to set out terraces, avenues and pathways at different levels. The building complexes were also surrounded by forest reserves and parks. Water, an essential requirement in the dry zone, was provided by building large reservoirs and extensive network of tanks and channels. The greatest man-made lake Parakrama Samudra, 2, 500 hectures in extent, has a capacity of 134 million cubic metres.

The architecture of Polonnaruwa is a continuation of the early Anuradhapura building tradition. The Polonnaruwa rulers attempted to create a new ideal, yet following the older models. This is evident in the numerous building types that evolved between the eleventh and twelfth centuries.

The Buddhist monasteries of Polonnaruwa provide the best surviving examples of image shrines, stupas, chapter houses, hospitals and ponds. Three colossal brick-built shrines ; Thuparama, Lankathilake and Tivamkapatimaghara, throw much light on the vaulted viharas type described in commentries from the 13th century.

Polonnaruwa, places you must visit

Potgul Vihara, ancient Library Monastery

Potgul Vihara is at the southern end of the city, this is also known as ‘Library Monastery’. Its buildings are grouped on terraces around a central square terrace containing the principal monument, circular shrine or library for scared books. Potgul Vihara is the modern name but it's ancient name has not been established. The superb sculpture, which depicts the art of Polonnaruwa to the visitor, is also unexplained. Potgul Vihara Monastery lies about a hundred yards to the South of the rock sculpture. It is a unique monastery. It is believed, that this was built by King Parakramabahu, as mentioned in the chronicle, " for listening to the birth stories of the Great Sage, which were related by a teacher”. Today, if you enter the round room, which is plastered, the acoustics are still excellent, even though the roof has collapsed.

Statue of King Parakramabahu I, world famous Rock sculpture-

One of the key attractions in Polonnaruwa is the statue is a huge 12th Century AD rock sculpture. Historians have failed so far to establish to who depicts in this statue whether it is of King Parakramabahu I or Agastaya. A barefoot figure clad only in sarong, stands out of the rock from which he was carved. His broad face has a look of seriousness and he is holding a sacred manuscript from which he appears to be reading aloud. However, the subject of the statue is a matter of debate.

Royal Palace and Council Chambers

Moving from north from Potgul Vihara, we come o the Citadel with its storeyed palace complex, assembly hall, and the stone bathing pool of the royal garden.The palace of King Parakramabahu and Nissankmalla, with their audience halls and the bathing ponds, provide an insight into the royal palace architecture of ancient Lanka. Accordingly Parakramabahu's Palace is said to have had a thousand rooms, with hundreds of pillars of varying shapes, a dancing hall and banqueting hall and many other adjuncts. The chronicles describe it as "seven stories high, furnished with a thousand chambers". Entering the palace from the south, you come to great hall (31 Metres long and 13 metres wide), which was probably an audience hall. Across the way is the council chamber of Parakramabahu - embellished with lion portals, graceful pillars and a moonstone (a delicately carved stepping stone). Powerful bas-relief elephants around the base support the building. Each one is different from the next. The structural techniques of this period were the same as those of the Anuradhapura period, but there was a greater use of lime mortar, which enabled the building of brick structures of dimensions never before attempted.

The Kumara Pokuna, elegant Royal bath

Next you will find very elegant royal bath, the Kumara Pokuna a little further on. The Kumara Pokuna was probably a part of the Royal Pleasure Garden of Parakramabahu. Here water, which may have been perfumed, flowed into the bath from the sides, and the solid masses of stone ensured that even on the hottest day, the water was cool. Another feature of this garden was a shower bath, which was "like a cloud pouring forth rain by the showers of water which flowed constantly from the pipes of the apparatus.

The Vatadage, hale of the relic

Now you may want to leave the citadel by its northern gate, and then one comes to the sacred quadrangle containing some of the earliest masterpieces. The Vatadage (hale of the relic) near the entrance is a circular building with a dageba on concentric terraces with sculptured railings, the largest with a diameter of 18m. A superbly planned and executed 12th century masterpiece was built during the Nissankamalla (1187-1196), the Vatadage has modest proportions but remarkably graceful lines. It was almost certainly intended to house the Tooth Relic. At the building's northern entrance is a guard stone (one of a former pair) preventing evil from entering. The moonstone at the second flight of steps is the best preserved in Polonnaruwa. In the center of Vatadage, within the concentric stone columns that once supported a conical roof, four Buddha status face the cardinal points, their backs to the sacred mound of brick all that remains of the dagaba. The Vatadage (hale of the relic) relic house possesses an elegance and beauty that is rare even in ancient Sri Lanka. In line with the outer circle of stone pillars is a tastefully ornamented screen wall patterned with four pealed flowers. The flights of access stairs at the cardinal points are of stone and are beautifully carved. At the head of each flight is a Buddha statue in stone. The shrine is lavished with moonstones, guard stones and sculptured writings. The shrine, like all dagobas in Sri Lanka, is oriented towards the cardinal points - north, south, east and west. Four Buddha statues face outwards, with their backs to the dagaba mound.

Parakrama Samudra, “Inland sea”

On of the prominent features in Polonnaruwa is the Parakrama Samudra or known as “Inland sea’ or ”Sea of Parakramabahu” is the largest irrigation tank of Great King Parakramabahu I. The huge lake upon whose north-eastern shore Polonnaruwa rests is an inland sea known as the Parakrama Samudra.. It was the life-blood of the ancient city in the same way that it is the blood life of the religion today, providing water for the growth of thirsty rice crops and other foodstuffs. Its 5,600 acres of water irrigated an estimated 18,200 acres of paddy land. . This was his largest irrigation project and covers an area of more than 15 Km2. Five minor lakes were incorporated in the building of the Parakrama Samudra, whose 8 1/2- mile bund contains 4 1/2 million cubic yards of earth. One thousand men employed in the hand labour of the period, working 24 hours a day, could scarcely have completed the job in 12 years.

Siva Shrine - Siva Devale No:1

Most probably built during a period of Indian domination in the 13th century. A Hindu Temple of chaste and restrained line dedicated to God Siva. A number of exotic and superb bronzes in mature Choler style were found at this temple, and these can be seen at the National Museum, Colombo.

The Thuparama

The Thuparama quadrilateral brick image house occupies the southwest corner of the adjoining quadrangle. This is a large Buddhist image house. Inside the building, in the inner sanctum, is a ruined brick and plaster pile that was once a seated image of the Buddha. The original vaulted roof of the building is still intact. Tropical rains run down the curve of the roof, and like the gargoyles of medieval Europe, Makara (dragon) spouts drain the water to the ground.

Nissanka Lata Mandapaya

The Satmahal Prasada, vey ancient architecture similar to pyramids of Egypt

Satmahal Prasada is a square pyramidal tower in seven tiers - a Dagaba of novel design. Each side of each tier is ornamented by a figure of a deity in an arched niche. The simple, stepped design is a very ancient form of architecture, which occurs in the step pyramids of Egypt, and the ziggurats of Mesopotamia. Another building of this type presents in Thailand in the monastery of Vat Kukut at Lamphun, and both are probably derived from an earlier Indian prototype.

Hatadage, very handsome edifice

The Hatadage, the Shrine of Sixty Relics stands opposite the Vatadage. It was known have been built by King Nissankamalla to house the Sacred Tooth Relic and is a handsome edifice, whose plain ashlar walls are very artistically relieved by a double border of faintly incised carving.

Gal Potha (‘Stone Book’ or ‘Book of Stone’), the largest slab inscription of Sri Lanka

This massive 8 metre long and 4.3 metre wide stone slab, which lies by the side of the Hatadage is inscribed with Sinhalese inscription praising the works of the King Nissankamalla (1187-1196 A.D.). According to the inscription it weight 25 tons, and was brought over 90km from Mihintale The massive inscription, amongst other things, records Nissankamalla's brief invasion of India in glowing terms, and details of his relations with foreign states, as far away as modern Pakistan and Indonesia and even about wars and rules & regulations to be abided by even after his death.

Pabulu Vehera or Coral Shrine

According to the historian, it have been built by one of the queens of Parakramabahu namelt Rupavati. This is located to the east is the softly rounded dagoba. There are a number of Buddha images to dating from the later Polonnaruwa period to be seen around the dagoba.

Siva Devale 2

Past the north gate of the citadel is the wonderful Hindu temple built entirely of stone. It is said that this building was established in the 10th Century AD, and is the oldest identifiable building in Polonnaruwa. This is one of the masterpieces of Indian art to be found in Sri Lanka. The building is in an early and perfectly simple Choler style.

Ran Kot Vehera -The Golden Pinnacle Dagaba

Ran Kot Vehera was built by King Nissankamalla. This Dagaba is the largest in Polonnaruwa and measures about 600-ft. in girth and 190 feet high. It is said that it was probably largely the work of Rupavati, one of Parakramabahu's queens and then was completed by Nissankamalla.

Lankathilake - The Image House, one of the finest in Asia

In the 12th century, Lankathilake was one of the most splendid of Buddhist Shrines in Asia. The walls of the majestic Lankathilake which are 4m trick and still stand 18m high. Lankathilake (the ornament of Lanka), was built by Parakramabahu I. The vast standing Buddha inside the shrine was originally about 41 feet (13 metres) with it's base, but sadly only its torso now stands. The brickwork of the building is of extraordinary variety, from the massive bricks, which support the weight of the building, to the tiny, delicately moulded bricks of the architectural details. The building must have been immense, and even today it is the most impressive ruin of the ancient city. The design illustrates the development in thinking which underlay the massive building, for it marks a turning away from the abstract from of the dagaba to a much more personalized faith in the Buddha in human form.

Kiri Vehera, the 'milk-white shrine'

Kiri Vehera is just ahead of Lankathilake is the 'milk-white shrine' named for its exterior of gleaming white. It is the best preserved of Sri Lanka's un-restored dagobas. Traditionally commemorating Queen Subhadda, one of King Parakramabahu's wives.

Gal Vihare - Rock Shrine, most elegant sculptures in the world

Built in 12 century AD, the Gal Vihara Rock shrine is the most elegant and impressive sculptures in the world. The great Buddha images of different postures are carved in one granite rock.Polonnaruwa are the colossal Buddha images carved on the face of a granite boulder at the Gal Vihare. It includes some of the masterpieces of Sri Lankan Buddhist art, and Parakramabahu I commissioned these. The first sculpture is a Samadhi Buddha image in a deep meditation; on a throne decorated with lions and thunderbolts and behind the Buddha is a halo. The statue is one of the most impressive examples of Sri Lanka's sculpture. The next sculpture is inside a cave out of solid rock. An umbrella protects the seated Buddha. Between the cave and the tall standing figure is a large inscription of Parakramabahu, which records in detail his struggle to unite the Buddhist order, and sets out the reformed rules of conduct.The standing figure, 8 metre feet high, with crossed arms is the next sculpture to be seen. The carving of the serene face is extremely sensitive, and the relaxed, elegant execution of the body and drapery distinguishes this figure as one of the masterpieces of Sri Lankan art. The fourth is a recumbent Buddha image depicting the passing away.

Demala Maha Seya - The Tamil Dagaba

This enormous stupa was built during the Polonnaruwa period known to by ‘Tamil prisoner of-war-labour’. It is a shrine of novel designs the dome rising from a terraced and moulded base is left unfinished at a height of about 50 ft. from the ground. If it were completed, it would have been the largest dagaba in the world, rising to about 600 feet in height.

Lotus Bath

Lotus Bath is a very elegant and pretty rook-cut pool shaped like a stylised lotus, constructed in diminishing concentric lamina, built by King Nissankamalla.

Tivanka Image House

Tivanka Image House is the largest among the brick - built shrines of Polonnaruwa. In the narrow antechamber, beautiful Devas (demigods), and the Bodhisattvas above, beckon the worshipper into the inner sanctum. Here stands the mighty Tivanka image of the Buddha, depicted in the 'thrice curved pose.

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