Joanna James
Away from the stunning beaches and lush mountains that draw most tourists to Sri Lanka, Polonnaruwa treats one to a side of the island's history like no other (with the exception of Anuradhapura, of course). Explore the myriad of archaeological treasures to glimpse into the city’s heyday.
Now a remnant of an ancient kingdom, going back to the 12th century AD, the historical royal palace was known for its splendour, towering to a height of 7 stories and boasting a mind-blowing 1,000 chambers. The constant invasions of the kingdom by Cholas resulted in the destruction of the royal palace, and only a few structures of the original formation can be seen as ruins today. While the historical palace is nowhere close to the grandeur it was back in the day, even what remains still makes it possible to reimagine this royal structure in its heyday, when it was the abode to the great King Parakramabahu.
Polonnaruwa, a UNESCO World Heritage Site has no shortage of architecturally magnificent structures whatsoever, though the Sacred Quadrangle is the only one of its kind. Vatadage, as it is known locally, is believed to have housed the Sacred Tooth Relic of the Lord Buddha following the downfall of Anuradhapura Kingdom; this was before the relic was permanently relocated to its current sanctuary, The Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic in Kandy in the central highlands. Among the highlights of the Sacred Quadrangle are the ancient Buddha statues and intricate moonstone at the site's entrance.
Gal Vihara, which translates to “Rock Temple”, dates back to the 12th century and is a living testament to the remarkable artistry and craftsmanship in ancient Sri Lanka. The temple is home to three intricately sculptured rock Buddha statues, each depicting the Lord Buddha in a different position; these are namely the Dhyana mudra (seated figure), Parinirvana (reclining figure) and a standing statue, all of which boast captivating splendour.
The scores of archaeological structures that call Polonnaruwa home leave no doubt about the ancient kingdom’s remarkable architectural magnificence; however, the colossal Parakrama Samudra is a testament to the kingdom’s groundbreaking engineering, which isn’t as much talked about. The “Sea of Parakrama”, a moniker earned thanks to its vast size, is a 12th-century irrigation solution that takes the form of a massive artificial lake, which serves the area to this day.
While there are plenty of places to visit in Polonnaruwa, your trip to the ancient city wouldn’t be complete without touring the striking Rankot Vihara. The historical Buddhist temple has major significance over the whole host of other temples found here, for it is the largest dagoba in the ancient city and the fourth largest dagoba in all of Sri Lanka. Feast your eyes on the breathtaking work of architecture before retreating to one of the fine hotels in town, including the likes of Hotel Sudu Araliya for some relaxation before another day of sightseeing adventures.
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