12 Best Places to Visit in Polonnaruwa

Start your sightseeing tour with a visit to the archaeological museum. This museum is brimming with fascinating archaeological finds discovered during excavations around Polonnaruwa and portrays Hinduism as well.

The museum will give you an inkling of what’s to come on the rest of your tour! But please keep in mind that no photographs are allowed.

Gal Vihara, or “rock monastery”, was built during the reign of King Parakramabahu I. The king commissioned some of his best workmen to carve these magnificent, elaborate statues of the lord Buddha on a large, single granite rock. The smallest statue (seated Buddha) is just over 15 feet, while the largest (reclining Buddha) is a stunning 46 feet! These statues are well preserved, considering the time in which they were constructed.

Also known as the “Stupa House”, the Vatadage houses a stupa in the middle (known to have held the relic of the tooth of the Buddha or the alms bowl used by the Buddha) and is surrounded by 4 Buddha statues. To safeguard the stupa, a circular-shaped wall and pillars were built around it.

Similar in structure to the famous Ruwanwelisaya, Rankoth Vehera was named “Ruwanweli” by King Nissanka Malla during his time. This striking stupa stands 108 feet tall, with a base circumference of 550 feet. Built entirely out of bricks, Rankoth Vehera is the largest stupa in Polonnaruwa.

This vast reservoir was built by King Parakramabahu during his reign, as Polonnaruwa is a dry area that has rain roughly twice a year. The magnificence of the Parakrama Samudraya makes you marvel at the fact that such a massive man-made reservoir that seems like a sea was formed without any technology or heavy gear at the time.

Kaudulla National Park is home to 24 mammal species, 160 bird species, 9 amphibian species, 25 reptile species, 26 fish species, and 75 butterfly species. It is one of the world's largest known gatherings of Asian elephants. This park is best visited during August to December, due to Elephants migrating. Most hotels in Polonnaruwa will arrange this park visit for you, as the park is about a 1-hour drive from Polonnaruwa!

Known for the venue where King Parakramabahu I held his meetings, these remnants are adorned in carvings thought to be necessary at that time. At the entrance, there are two lion statues and an inscription stating the structure's functional value.

According to historical books, the palace built in the 10th century had seven floors and 1000 chambers in its hay day. The ruins of this magnificent palace can be viewed even today, and its grand structure can be easily imagined.

Dating back to the 12th century, this ancient library once held books related to Buddhism and was built entirely of bricks. A mere 200 meters away from Hotel Sudu Araliya, a small walk will bring you to this treasure trove.

Lankathilaka Vehera was a grand structure and is believed to be twice the size of its ruins. Built south of Kiri Vehera, you can closely inspect the intricate carvings on these brick walls. This was built exclusively to house a 41-foot-tall brick statue of Buddha.

The second-largest stupa in Polonnaruwa, this is one of the only stupas that has survived for nine centuries in near-original condition. Rumoured to have been built by the great king Parakramabahu for his queen consort Subadhra (or she built it herself!)

Representing Hindu culture, Shiva Devala No. 2 is steeped in history. This temple has also been well preserved, and the inscriptions explain how the Chola Invader Rajaraja I built this beautiful Dravidian-style shrine dedicated to the Hindu god Shiva after his successful invasion in the 10th century.