Polonnaruwa

Enormous Buddhist temples with carved out sculptures depicting sublime qualities of the Buddha, intact monumental sculpture in colossal statues carved from sold rock boulders, preserved ruins of magnificent royal palaces and unbelievable Buddhist monastery complex are given attraction to Polonnaruwa

Polonnaruwa

The second most ancient kingdom of Sri Lanka, Polonnaruwa was first established by the South Indian (Chola)  dynasty as their capital in the 10th century A.D where situated in North central part of Sri Lanka. But the history goes back to 6^th Century B.C Named as Wijitha Gaama. Polonnaruwa, which became the capital of Sri Lanka following the decline of Anuradhapura Kingdom, was to witness the Sinhalese Buddhist civilization reaching still greater highlights. The ancient city of Polonnaruwa remains one of the best planned Archeological relic sites in the country, standing testimony to the discipline and greatness of the Kingdom’s first rulers.

The vast irrigation network with reservoirs that look like natural in-land seas was built for developing paddy cultivation which named Parakrama samudra (Sea) created with joining five earlier tanks. Since that, during the reign of king Parakramabahu the Great of Polonnaruwa kingdom (1153-1186 A.D), Sri Lanka became known as the Granary of the Orient.

Polonnaruwa has been declared a World Heritage site by UNESCO since of Alahana piriwena monastery complex. Among the main tourist attractions at Polonnaruwa are enormous Buddhist temples with carved out sculptures depicting sublime qualities of the Buddha, intact monumental sculpture in colossal statues carved from sold rock boulders, preserved ruins of magnificent royal palaces and unbelievable Buddhist monastery complex with proper administration system.

Southern part of Parakrama Samudra ancient man-made reservoir, sandwiched between River Amban Ganga and River Mahaweli which are the major water resource for paddy cultivation. Polonnaruwa is another wildlife sanctuary. Southern part of Polonnaruwa is covered Wasgomuwa National Park. To the just north east of Polonnaruwa town is Flood Plains National Park , still further to the north east, again within the Polonnaruwa district is Somawathiya National Park,  to the north west in the Polonnaruwa district is Minneriya Giritale National Park enclosing vast Minneriya irrigation reservoir and Giritale rainwater reservoir. Further west to Polonnaruwa is the tourism hub and accommodation option of Habarana.

Tourist attractions of Polonnaruwa

• Sacred quadrangle (Atadaageya, Watadaageya & Hetaddageya)
• Royal palace complex
• Gal viharaya
• Alahna pirivena monastery complex
• Inscriptions
• Nissanka Latha mandapaya
• Image houses
• Parakrama Samudra

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