Thanumi Polonnaruwa Guidebook
Sightseeing
The Gal Vihara (Sinhala: ගල් විහාර), and originally as the Uttararama (Sinhala: උත්තරාම), 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 central feature of the temple is four rock relief statues of the Buddha, which have been carved into the face of a large granitic (granite gneiss) rock. 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.
Gal Vihara
The Gal Vihara (Sinhala: ගල් විහාර), and originally as the Uttararama (Sinhala: උත්තරාම), 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 central feature of the temple is four rock relief statues of the Buddha, which have been carved into the face of a large granitic (granite gneiss) rock. 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.
Parakrama Samudra (or King Parakrama's sea or the Sea of King Parakrama) is a shallow reservoir (wewa), consisting of five separate wewa (reservoirs) (thopa, dumbutulu, erabadu, bhu, kalahagala tanks) connected by narrow channels in Polonnaruwa, Sri Lanka.
Samudra Parakrama
Parakrama Samudra (or King Parakrama's sea or the Sea of King Parakrama) is a shallow reservoir (wewa), consisting of five separate wewa (reservoirs) (thopa, dumbutulu, erabadu, bhu, kalahagala tanks) connected by narrow channels in Polonnaruwa, Sri Lanka.
Statue of Parakramabahu I, located near the Pothgul Vehera in Polonnaruwa is a stone sculpture dating back to the Polonnaruwa period of ancient Sri Lanka. Its identity is uncertain, although the widely accepted theory is that it is a statue of Parakramabahu I. Wikipedia
Location: Polonnaruwa, Sri Lanka
Year: 12th century
Potgul Vihara Statue
Bund RoadStatue of Parakramabahu I, located near the Pothgul Vehera in Polonnaruwa is a stone sculpture dating back to the Polonnaruwa period of ancient Sri Lanka. Its identity is uncertain, although the widely accepted theory is that it is a statue of Parakramabahu I. Wikipedia
Location: Polonnaruwa, Sri Lanka
Year: 12th century
Rankoth Vehera is a stupa located in the ancient city of Polonnaruwa in Sri Lanka. The stupa was built by Nissanka Malla of Polonnaruwa, who ruled the country from 1187 to 1196.[1] The Rankoth Vehera has been built according to the tradition of the stupas of the Anuradhapura Maha Viharaya and bears a close resemblance to Ruwanwelisaya.[2] In fact, a stone inscription situated close to the stupa even identifies it by the name "Ruwanweli". However, it has later come to be known by the currently used name, Rankoth Vehera.[3] In Sinhalese, ran means gold, kotha is the name given to the pinnacle of a stupa, and vehera means stupa or temple. Thus, the name Rankoth Vehera can be roughly translated to English as "Gold Pinnacled Stupa".[4] Along with the Kiri Vehera, it is one of the most revered stupas in Polonnaruwa.[2]
Rankoth Vehera (Rankoth Dagoba)
Rankoth Vehera is a stupa located in the ancient city of Polonnaruwa in Sri Lanka. The stupa was built by Nissanka Malla of Polonnaruwa, who ruled the country from 1187 to 1196.[1] The Rankoth Vehera has been built according to the tradition of the stupas of the Anuradhapura Maha Viharaya and bears a close resemblance to Ruwanwelisaya.[2] In fact, a stone inscription situated close to the stupa even identifies it by the name "Ruwanweli". However, it has later come to be known by the currently used name, Rankoth Vehera.[3] In Sinhalese, ran means gold, kotha is the name given to the pinnacle of a stupa, and vehera means stupa or temple. Thus, the name Rankoth Vehera can be roughly translated to English as "Gold Pinnacled Stupa".[4] Along with the Kiri Vehera, it is one of the most revered stupas in Polonnaruwa.[2]
This large stupa known as the Kiri Vehera of Polonnaruwa, lying north of Lankathilaka Pilima Ge is said to be built by a queen of king Parakramabahu (1153-1186) called “Subadra”. The original name of this has been “Rupavathi Stupa” and this too is a part of Ãlahana Privena and stands 80 feet in height today.
This stupa is also the second biggest stupa in Polonnaruwa today. Also it is the only stupa to survive the 900 years of forces of nature and still is in the original condition.
There are many restored smaller stupas around Kiri Vehera. These have been identified as burial chambers of high priests and royals. Many of these including Kiri Vehera stupa has been attacked by treasure hunters and their valuables looted.
The two identical stupas south to the Lankathilaka is thought to be built upon remains of a king and a queen.
Kiri Vehera - 91
This large stupa known as the Kiri Vehera of Polonnaruwa, lying north of Lankathilaka Pilima Ge is said to be built by a queen of king Parakramabahu (1153-1186) called “Subadra”. The original name of this has been “Rupavathi Stupa” and this too is a part of Ãlahana Privena and stands 80 feet in height today.
This stupa is also the second biggest stupa in Polonnaruwa today. Also it is the only stupa to survive the 900 years of forces of nature and still is in the original condition.
There are many restored smaller stupas around Kiri Vehera. These have been identified as burial chambers of high priests and royals. Many of these including Kiri Vehera stupa has been attacked by treasure hunters and their valuables looted.
The two identical stupas south to the Lankathilaka is thought to be built upon remains of a king and a queen.
nelum-pokuna

The Nelum pokuna or the Lotus bath is a small stone bath of completely unique design, built in tiers of eight petalled lotuses in descending form.
Polonnaruwa Nelum pokuna (Lotus Pond)
Thivanka Pilimage Roadnelum-pokuna

The Nelum pokuna or the Lotus bath is a small stone bath of completely unique design, built in tiers of eight petalled lotuses in descending form.
Kumara Pokuna (Prince Pond) is a pond situated close to the royal palace complex in Polonnaruwa. Its exact location is next to the Council Chamber of King ...
Kumara Pokuna
Kumara Pokuna (Prince Pond) is a pond situated close to the royal palace complex in Polonnaruwa. Its exact location is next to the Council Chamber of King ...
Gopala Pabbatha is a small collection of natural rock caves located in a calm environment. It is located on the south of Alahana Pirivena and on the north of Rankoth Vehera in the Polonnaruwa district of Sri Lanka.
Inscriptions on the cave walls with Brahmin lettering indicate the human habitation of over 2nd century B.C. In the later period these caves have been used by monks residing in that forest area. These solitary monks would have used caves to meditate and pray as these lie in a pleasant and tranquil atmosphere.
Now four sculpted Buddha statues can be seen in one of the caves. This is an antique rocky outcrop lying in the splendiferous area.
Gopala Pabbatha
Gopala Pabbatha is a small collection of natural rock caves located in a calm environment. It is located on the south of Alahana Pirivena and on the north of Rankoth Vehera in the Polonnaruwa district of Sri Lanka.
Inscriptions on the cave walls with Brahmin lettering indicate the human habitation of over 2nd century B.C. In the later period these caves have been used by monks residing in that forest area. These solitary monks would have used caves to meditate and pray as these lie in a pleasant and tranquil atmosphere.
Now four sculpted Buddha statues can be seen in one of the caves. This is an antique rocky outcrop lying in the splendiferous area.
Alahana Pirivena is the great monastic complex founded by Parakramabahu 1 (1153-1186), said to be built on a cremation ground, hence the name Alahana Pirivena.
The monastery laid out in terraces in idyllic surroundings with small and large rocky outcrops like the Gopala pabbata, meandering stream, ponds and parks is said to have extended over an area of more than eighty hectares.
Archaeologists have found that the monastery consisted of many separate units demarcated by smaller boundary walls with small entrance doorways. Each unit had its own living cells, and several of them seem to have shared a common bath house, refectory and other such facilities for monks.
On the highest terrace of the Alahana Pirivena grounds stand the remains of a monumental brick building known as the Baddhasima pasada which was the chapter house of the monks residing in the monastery.
Alahana Pirivena
Alahana Pirivena is the great monastic complex founded by Parakramabahu 1 (1153-1186), said to be built on a cremation ground, hence the name Alahana Pirivena.
The monastery laid out in terraces in idyllic surroundings with small and large rocky outcrops like the Gopala pabbata, meandering stream, ponds and parks is said to have extended over an area of more than eighty hectares.
Archaeologists have found that the monastery consisted of many separate units demarcated by smaller boundary walls with small entrance doorways. Each unit had its own living cells, and several of them seem to have shared a common bath house, refectory and other such facilities for monks.
On the highest terrace of the Alahana Pirivena grounds stand the remains of a monumental brick building known as the Baddhasima pasada which was the chapter house of the monks residing in the monastery.
The true “Demala Maha Seya – the greatest of all the thupas, one thousand ... Map of Damila Maha Seya (Demala Maha Seya) at Ancient Capital of Polonnaruwa.
Demala Maha Seya
The true “Demala Maha Seya – the greatest of all the thupas, one thousand ... Map of Damila Maha Seya (Demala Maha Seya) at Ancient Capital of Polonnaruwa.
Pariri dwar il-belt
Kif tista' tmur minn post għall-ieħor
Ancient city
minimum two days want to be spent visit this 16 places well
you should get advice and information from hotel manager or qualified guide
Dont get information about ancient places or history about Polonnaruwa from taxi drivers , they know well about routes only
First visit recommend to museum
off road vehicle well but all car van small busses m.bycicle foot bycicle are allowed