Polonnaruwa

Despite the destruction caused by invaders, Polonnaruwa, an old city with some impressively well-preserved remains, is a must-visit location on an all-inclusive trip to Sri Lanka. The Sinhala king Parakramabahu the 1st built this remarkable urban community in the 12th century, making it an ancient metropolis. A civilisation at its pinnacle with a firm understanding of aesthetic sensibility and architectural design is evidenced by the astonishing harmony between its buildings and its natural surrounds. The Sinhalese Kings were devout Buddhists, unlike the Chola conquerors from South India who conducted several invasions. The enthusiasm of the invader and the resolve of the defender are evident in the silent Hindu temples and Buddhist monasteries. During the Polonnaruwa period, there were strong relations between two Buddhist kingdoms, as evidenced by the monasteries that provided sanctuary to monks from Ramanna Desha (modern-day Myanmar). If you are interested in history while on your Sri Lanka vacation, visit the National Museum in Colombo, which houses beautiful bronze statues that were discovered in temples dedicated to Shiva and the invading Cholas’ faith of Brahmanism. The sacred Bodhi Tree could not be carried from Anuradhapura when the Sinhala King relocated to the new city of Polonnaruwa.

As a result, the Sacred Tooth Relic was designated as the seat of Sinhala Sovereignty. Among the Polonnaruwa ruins, the “Atadage” or Temple of the Tooth Relic is the most spectacular building. One of the pinnacles of Sinhalese art is without a doubt the Gal Vihara, or Stone Reliquary, with its huge rock carvings. The finest historical riches on the island may be found in Polonnaruwa city. It still contributes significantly to agriculture and is very important economically. King Parakramabahu the First constructed the massive reservoir known as the Parakrama Samudraya (Sea of Parakrama) (1153-1186 AD). The huge body of water, which is surrounded by a retaining wall that is 14 km long and 12 m high, dominates the whole Citadel of Polonnaruwa and its surroundings. The artificial reservoir has a surface area of 15 square kilometers.