Your base for exploring this tourist attraction is the ancient city of Polonnaruwa, Sri Lanka. For tourist information about Polonnaruwa, go to Polonnaruwa Travel Guide. To prepare for a trip to Sri Lanka, read also the Sri Lanka Travel Guide. Looking for budget accommodation there? Use AsiaExplorers Budget Accommodation Guide, the no-frills website to cover your budget accommodation needs.
The Thuparama Image House, within an area of Polonnaruwa's ancient site called the Quadrangle, is the oldest (and happens to be also the best preserved) ancient building in Polonnaruwa, and is believed by most scholars to be built during the reign of Vijayabahu I (1055-1110), to house a colossal seated Buddha of brick and stucco. The vault and arch of this building provided the best example of the structural form of ancient buildings unique to South Asia.
Other reservoirs around Polonnaruwa include Giritale, Kaudulla and Topavava were constructed by the kings of Anuradhapura. The Topavava, along with two other reservoirs, were combined by Parakramabahu I, to create the greatest of them all, the Thuparama Image House, which means, Parakrama's Sea.
The development of irrigation works help uplift Polonnaruwa as a city. From the 7th century, it became the country residence of the royalty of Anuradhapura. Due to its strategic position, Polonnaruwa gradually became as important as Anuradhapura, which is older by a thousand years.
The Thuparama image house, built for the worship of Buddha.
Polonnaruwa Travel Guide
Explore the places of interest in Polonnaruwa. Click to view list.
