Polonnaruwa Archaeological Complex

 ruins, hillfort, interesting place, UNESCO World Heritage Site

Ancient City of Polonnaruwa
UNESCO World Heritage Site

The second capital was the seat of the government from the middle of the 10th century until the 14th century. A traveller to Polonnaruwai will wonder about the identity of the image in front of the Parakrama Samudra established by king Parakrambahu. This large irrigation reservoir covers 5,940 acres and irrigates 18,500 acres of rice paddies. A 12th century statue, often referred to as 'The Sage' is popularly believed to represent king Parakkamabahu 1. The ruins of king Parakramabahu's palace are described as a seven-story edifice. The royal baths known as the Kumara Pokuna represents an intricate geometrical designs. King Parakramabahu's Chamber of Council with elaborate carvings of elephants and other animals around the base and traditional moonstones and guard-stones at the entrance are master pieces. Siva Dewale, Vatadage, or circular relic house in the seventh century, the Thuparama is an image house meant for a colossal seated Buddha of brick and stucco, Lata Mandapa, and elaborate stupa house Atadage, the first tooth relic shrine in the eleventh century, Hetadage or the sacred tooth relic shrine built in the twelfth century, standing image in the princely attire of a Bodhisatva, Galpotha, or stones book which is 8 metres long and 4.25 metres wide, bears inscriptions of king Nissanka Malla. Galvihara the one of the finest groups of sculptures of the Buddha carved from a single granite wall found anywhere in the world are some of the important sites to be viewed at Polonnaruwa.