Ancient City of Polonnaruwa

Polonnaruwa bears witness to several civilizations, notably that of the conquering Cholas, disciples of Brahminism, and that of the Sinhalese sovereigns during the 12th and 13th centuries. This immense capital created by the megalomaniac sovereign, Parakramabahu I, in the 12th century, is one of history's most astonishing urban creations, both because of its unusual dimensions and because of the very special relationship of its buildings with the natural setting. It is also a shrine of Buddhism and of Sinhalese history. The tooth of the Lord Buddha, a remarkable relic placed in the Atadage under Vijabayahu, was considered as the talisman of the Sinhalese monarchy: its removal by Bhuvanaikabahu II confirmed the decline of Polonnaruwa.

After the destruction of Anuradhapura in 993 by Rajaraja, Polonnaruwa, a temporary royal residence during the 8th century, became the capital. The conquering Cholas constructed monuments to their religion (Brahmnism), and especially temples to Shiva where fine bronze statues, today in the Museum of Colombo, were found. The reconquest of Ceylon by Vijayabahu I did not put an end to the city's role as capital: it became covered, after 1070, with Buddhist sanctuaries, of which the Atadage (Temple of the Tooth Relic) is the most renowned.

The apogee of Polonnaruwa occurred in the 12th century AD. Two sovereigns then proceeded to endow it with monuments. Parakramabahu I (1153-86) created within a triple-walled enceinte a fabulous garden-city, where palaces and sanctuaries prolonged the enchantment of the countryside. The following monuments date from this reign: the Lankatilaka, an enormous brick structure which has preserved a colossal image of Buddha; the Gal Vihara, with its gigantic rock sculptures which may be placed among the chefs-d'œuvre of Sinhalese art; the Tivanka Pilimage, where wall paintings of the 13th century illustrate the jataka (narratives of the previous lives of Buddha), etc. Nissamkamalla hastily constructed monuments that, although less refined than those of Parakramabahu I, were nonetheless splendid: the Rankot Vihara, an enormous stupa 175 m in diameter and 55 m high, is one of the most impressive; its plan and its dimensions are reminiscent of the dagabas at Anuradhapura.

After this golden age, Polonnaruwa underwent a century of difficulties, before its final decline. The city which was invaded by the Tamils and the Maghas, then reconquered in a precarious manner, was only periodically the capital before the end of the 13th century when it was captured in an assault by Bhuvanaikabuha II, who set up his government at Kurunegala.

Visiting of ancient ruins of Polonnaruwa

The old part of Polonnaruwa is from twelfth century. At first moment the most of tourists cant believe that everything in the town is so preserved. The most beautiful fact is that the old part of the town and nature are very connected.

Everywhere you look there is a lot of monkeys specially macaques, many other reptiles and also many trees.  Polonnaruwa is also called as the medieval capital of Sri Lanka. Monks recorded and written down the early history of Sri Lanka. Those writings are known as the Great Chonicles, there are also a Chulavamsa known as the lesser Chonicles and they give us more accurate situation of the Polonnaruwa era.

Ancient Polonnaruwa

Another ancient city close the Dambula town is Polonnaruwa - the mediaeval capital of the Island which is about 210 km northeast of Colombo, 140km northeast of Kandy and
104km southeast of Anuradhapura..

The climate of Polonnaruwa is tropical most of the year, usually in January and December get a little bit chilly. In last years the chillness and the rain increased and that is even more enjoyable and surprising for tourists and other people.

Ancient Polonnaruwa is the second most sacrosanct cities of Sri Lanka. In the year 1070 King Vijayabahu proclaimed Polonnaruwa for the capital. The most important is a period of his grandson Parakramabahu 1. this era is known for period of trading and agriculture. They built systems for watering of the fields in dry times. The lake was so huge, people are often confusing the lake with the sea. The name of the lake is Parakrama Samudraya (built in 1200 A.C.)

In the city of Polonnaruwa we can admire the remains of kings palace, a huge pagoda and spaciouss, settled gardens. Near gardens is the place called Gal Viharaya with four statues of Buddha chiseled in the rock. First statue is the Buddha in a meditative position, second statue is in the cave, the third standing Buddha is eight metres high and fourth lying statue is fifteen metres long.