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 Polonnaruwa Travel Guide, Sri Lanka

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The Reclining Buddha at Gal Vihara, Polonnaruwa
Author: Lankapic (Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Unported)

The ancient city of Polonnaruwa is one of the UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Sri Lanka. The medieval city of Polonnaruwa was the capital of the second civilisation to establish itself in ancient Lanka after Anuradhapura. It was the seat of the Sinhala Kingdom between the middle of the 11th century to the 13th century. Kiri Vihara, Polonnaruwa Author: Bernard Gagnon (Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Unported) World Heritage Site Inscription Details Location: N7 54 57 E81 00 02 Inscription Year: 1982 Type of Site: Cultural / Natural / Mixed Inscription Criteria: I, III, VI Grew out of the arid plains of the north, the kingdom in Polonnaruwa depended heavily on channelled water to irrigate its fields. This demanded the construction of massive irrigation projects. Although the civilisation in Sri Lanka is not as popular, their engineering feat rival those of Angkor, Egypt and ancient China. Kumura Pukuna basin, Polonnaruwa Author: Bernard Gagnon (Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Unported) The greatest king in Polonnaruwa is Parakramabahu I, a warrior and great builder. It was he who build the massive Parakrama Samudra. It is worth Polonnaruwa to appreciate the engineering marvels of a civilisation that flourished a millenium ago, that today makes Polonnaruwa worthy of recognition as a Unesco World Heritage Site. Visiting Polonnaruwa If you are traveling in a small group, I would recommend hiring a taxi or car with driver to take you to Polonnaruwa, and then explore it with your own transport. Alternatively you can take the bus or the train from Colombo. Polonnaruwa is about 220 km from Colombo, and the road is a bumpy highway, so the journey will take you almost the whole day. Lankatilaka Temple, Polonnaruwa Author: Bernard Gagnon (Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Unported)

Tools Sights in Polonnaruwa Alahana Pirivena Archaeological Museum Atadage Buddha Sima Pasada Dalada Maluwa Demala Maha Seya Dipuyyana Gal Pota Gal Vihara Gopata Pabbata Hatadage Kiri Vihara Kumara Pokuna Lankatilaka Lotus Pond Lata Mandapa Menik Vihara Pabulu Vihara Parakrama Samudra Parakramabahu Chamber Parakramabahu's Palace Pothgul Vihara Rankot Vihara Satmahal Prasada Shiva Devale Statue of Agastaya Tivanka Thuparama Vatadage Vijayanta Pasada

Tourist Attractions in and around Polonnaruwa
	Atadage The first Tooth Relic Shrine of Polonnaruwa, built in the 11th century by King Vijayabahu.
	Gal Pota The Stone Book of King Nissanka Malla.
	Hatadage The second Tooth Relic Shrine of Polonnaruwa, built in the 12th century by King Nissanka Malla.
	King Parakramabahu's Council Chamber Audience hall of King Parakramabahu with elaborately sculptured walls.
	King Parakramabahu's Palace Ruins of King Parakramabahu's 12th century palace.
	Parakrama Samudra Great irrigation pond of King Parakramabahu.
	Shiva Devale Ruins of a Hindu temple built by South Indian invaders.
	Thuparama Image House The best preserved ancient building in Polonnaruwa.
	Vatadage Circular Relic House Built in the 7th century, the Vatadage is the oldest monument in Polonnaruwa.
	Lata Mandapa Pavillion of King Nissanka Malla.
	Satmahal Prasada An unusual stupa in the form of a seven-tiered step pyramid.
	Rankot Vihara Nissanka Malla's golden pinnacle dagoba.
	Gal Vihara The famous rock sculptures of Polonnaruwa.