The history of early Sri Lanka was very carefully recorded and written down by monks. Here too the liquid flow of the robes over the body and the calm expression of the face are beautifully interpreted. The Buddha is lying down, at the final moment of his earthly life, entering Parinibbana, the state of supreme enlightenment. The immense figure of recumbent Buddha measures 46 ft (14 metres). The carving of the serene face is extremely sensitive, and the relaxed, elegant execution of the body and drapery distinguishes this figure as one of the masterpieces of Sri Lankan art. The finest of the images – the standing figure is twenty three feet high (7 metres) with crossed arms. Between the cave and the tall standing figure is a large inscription of Parakramabahu, which records in detail his struggle to unite the Buddhist order, and sets out the reformed rules of conduct. The seated Buddha is protected by an umbrella. The statue is one of the most impressive examples of Sri Lanka’s sculpture.The next sculpture is inside a cave carved out of solid rock. The first sculpture is a seated Buddha image in a deep meditation, on a throne decorated with lions and thunderbolts and behind the Buddha is a halo. The Buddha rock sculptures at the Gal Vihare are considered masterpieces of Sri Lankan Buddhist art, and were commissioned by King Parakramabahu I.
Four separate images of the Buddha are carved from one long slab of granite, a feat of artistry. The Gal Viharaya is a cluster of carved Buddha images, which would have formed part of an extensive monastery on this site.
Later King Nissankamalla liked it so much that he built his palace and council chambers there. When King Parakramabahu had built his vast lake, he selected this lovely spot for a royal garden. The Dipuyyana (Island Garden) is on the promontory by the rest house. The hitherto rain-fed agricultural practices were transformed, and Polonnaruwa became the rice growing capital of ancient Lanka. An intricate network of irrigation canals supplied water from this reservoir to surrounding paddy fields, ensuring that agricultural production could be carried out year-round. The waters of the Parakrama Samudraya circle the ancient city and its environs, and in ancient times served as a moat against invading armies. This was his largest irrigation project and covers an area of more than 15 Km2.The dam (or bund, as it is known in Sri Lanka, is almost 14 Km long and 12 metres high. One of the most striking features in Polonnaruwa is the vast Parakrama Samudra (Sea of Parakramabahu), an irrigation tank built, as the name indicates by King Parakramabahu the Great. The ancient city was declared a World heritage Site by UNESCO in 1982. But Polonnaruwa also boasts an impressive array of ruined palaces and courtyards, pleasure gardens and intricate networks of bathing tanks, as well as carvings and sculptures and a rich display of artistry. The archaeological sites are in a compact layout, within easy distance of each other, and tours are easily arranged either on foot or more popularly explored on bicycle.Īs in Anuradhapura, Polonnaruwa too has its share of Buddhist sites, and tour buses of pilgrims can be often seen visiting the stupas and monasteries. Located in Sri Lanka’s North Central Province, Polonnaruwa has both its ancient city, an adjoining “old town” as well as a “new town” located about 6km away. Most commonly referred to as Sri Lanka’s second ancient capital, the city of Polonnaruwa is nevertheless a magnificently preserved city with rich archaeological monuments and natural beauty.
Located approximately 140km from Kandy, Polonnaruwa was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site, due to its abundance of historic remains. Polonnaruwa Sri Lanka is considered one of the best preserved historic cities in the world. Polonnaruwa (Sinhalese – පොළොන්නරුව Tamil – பொலநறுவை was the country’s capital from the 11 th– 13 th Century.
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