Monuments in Polonnarva
Galvihara – Rock Temple / Statue – King or Sage? / Nissankamalla’s Bath / The Palace of King Parakramabahu / The Council Chamber / Nissankalatha Mandapa / Vatadage (Circular Relic House) / God Siva’s Devol / Rankot Vehera / The Lotus Bath / Siva Nataraja / Karaikkal Ammaiyar

Galvihara – Rock Temple – This rock temple is unparalleled among such ancient monastic edifices well known for the colossal Lord Buddha images grouped together, wich were originaaly housed in separate shrines. A masterpiece of Sri Lanka art, these rock–cut figures have given rise to much controversy, particularly regarding the identification of the standing figure and whether the reclining figure represents the Buddha in his moment of final passing away. It may be noted that the Chronicler records the shrine as a work by Parakramabahu I, but mentions only the recumbent image and the two seated ones. The recumbent image is 46ft. 4in. in length and the other measurements are in proportion. Prof. Senerath Paranavithana, the former commissioner of archaeology, believes that the image does not represent the final passing away of the Lord Buddha but shows the Buddha in the sleeping attitude in meditation. The head rests on the right palm, while the left hand is stretched along the left side of the body. The thin drapery is attached to the body and the folds are distinctly shown. There is a dent on the pillow caused by the weight of the head and the left leg is slightly drawn in. it is a superb work of poise and balance. Some archaeologists have argued that the standing figure is that of Ananda, the personal attendant of the Buddha, and nothing the uncommon pose of the arms over the chest, which they say suggests a lamenting person; they contend that it is Ananda sorrow the final passing away of the Lord Buddha, which they say is represented by the recumbent figure. Going by the hand pose as well as the facial expression, Prof. Paranavithana contends that the figure of the Lord Buddha shows his sympathetic mood towards the suffering. The seated Lord Buddha on the southern end of the rock is considered noteworthy because of the background against which it is carved. It is carved in front elevation of a seat and has the backrest decorated as an arch with three architraves ending in dragon figures. These masterpieces are so superbly executed that they arouse in the beholder the edifying Buddhist virtue of loving kindness. No one who looks upon these statures can come away without being deeply moves.

Statue – King or Sage? At the northern boundary of the site is a sculpture in high relief on the face of a rock boulder. Here again this stature had generated much sturdy and speculation about its identifications. Prof. Paranavithana going on the sacred thread around the neck, the pattern of the cloth worn and the ornamental knot on the belt, says that he is no ordinary individual. He feels that the yoke in the hands is a symbol of the king’s responsibility for maintaining a balance between welfare and justice, traditional kingly virtues. He concludes that the statue is that of a king possible King Parakramabahu. Prof. Leelananda adds that it could well be that of sage Pulasthi, after whom Polonnaruva as named Pulasthipura. According to him, a defaced inscription on the summit of the boulder possesses letters of the name Pulasti. Whoever he is, it is one of the amazing works of art found anywhere in Sri Lanka.

The Council Chamber – Quite apart from the historical importance of the Council Chamber, its aesthetic design is appealing. The large figure of the lion carved in stone in one end of the building served as the king’s throne, as inscribed under the belly of the lion. The stone seat on the left of the throne was reserved for the viceroy as the inscription on it indicates. Another interesting feature is that the seating arrangement of the king’s ministers is inscribed on the pillars.

Nissankamalla’s Bath – This bath seems to have been built in three levels. The structure at ground level has somewhat high walls. Did it serve as the changing rooms? The second level is for bathing from sports that draw water from the tank. This feature is similar to that found in the Royal Pleasure Gardens at Anuradhapura near Tissa reservoir. At the lowest level is a bathing pool, which is fed from waters of Parakrama Samudra through a stone conduit.

The Palace of King Parakramabahu – As the present ruins belong to the period of King Parakramabahu I this area is referred to as the Parakramabahu Palace Complex. The Chronicles give an exaggerated account of the palace but even in its ruined state it suggests that it must have been a storied building of considerable size. To the west of the central courtyard is the main palace building with its massive brick walls. The gaps in the walls are to take in beam-ends, and the walls. The gaps in the walls are to take in beam-ends, and the walls, now conserved up to a height of two stories, have fragments of the original plaster intact. The vertical recesses on the walls were to take in wooden shafts to reinforce the walls and to support the beams. The wooden superstructure of the upper floors is missing now, but fragments of a stone flight of steps are still seen. To the northwest of the building is a square pit made of bricks that may have served as a lavatory. The small rooms at the ground floor were probably service rooms.

Nissankalatha Mandapa – King Nissankamala has built this building, an innovative work of art depicting the splendor of classical architecture. According to an inscription it is in this building that the king listened to the chanting of religious texts. The elegantly decorated serpentine columns capitals represent the lotus. In the center of the raised platform is a bubble – shaped stupa, without its upper part, carved out of stone. It could have been used to hold the relic casket during pirit chanting.

Vatadage (Circular Relic House) – The central edifice in the quadrangle you see here is one of the most exquisite examples of Buddhist architecture. The circular relic house surrounds a stupa in which relics were enshrined. Five concentric rows of columns once supported a heavy wooden roof now no more. Four seated Lord Buddha statues face outwards with their back to the stupa facilitating the devotees to worship. The moonstones, balustrades flanking the entrances and the parapet round the inner sanctum with finely executed floral designs are magnificent examples of ornamental art of the early medieval times.

God Siva’s Devol – This Hindu shrine that is in a state of perfect preservation is built entirely of stone. According to an inscription on the wall this has been built as a memorial to the queen of Cola Emperor Rajaraja I. In the sanctum you find the lingam or phallus, the form in which Siva is worshipped. This is a good specimen of South Indian architecture. The Nandi Bull, Shiva’s vehicle, is in front of the shrine. This is one of the oldest Hindu shrine found in Polonnaruva and is patronized by the Hindus to date.

Rankot Vehera – Excavations to the north of the Manik Vehera complex have revealed an ancient street running from south to north. The area to the north of this path contains some of the most important monuments in Polonnaruva, one of which is the Rankot Vehera. The area to the west of the stupa is studded with ruins suggesting that it had been a monastery complex of some standing. This stupa was also known as the Swarnamali Stupa. King Nissankamall in an inscription in front of the stupa claims that he built it. This is the largest stupa built in Polonnaruva following the tradition of early stupa in Anuradhapura and contains a wide sand terrace surrounding the stupa. There are four flights of steps at the cardinal points providing admission to devotees.

The Lotus Bath – Solid cast in bronze with hollow pedestal, this was found at Siva Devala No.5 and belongs to the 12th – 13th Century.This stone pond is built in tiers showing petals of a lotus flower, and was meant for the use of the monks. The chronicle records that king Parakramabahu built eight bathhouses of stone to cleanse the outward impurity of the monks’. Some other ponds similar in structure to this were found in the area now covered with jungle. Apparently the engineer has given free expression to his imagination, the subject being mundane.

Siva Nataraja – Stylistically different from many other Nataraja figures, this bronze shows the god engaged in the dance tandava balancing his weight on his right foot. The foot tramples the demon representing Apasmarapurusha delusion that looks up in fear. The symbols of creation and destruction namely, the kettle drum and the flame, are held in his two upper hands. His hairstyle is also unusual; it is bound into a headdress of matted hair and the seven strands spin out on each side of the god’s head owing to the violent movements of his dance. On top of the strands to the right is seen a tiny figure of the Goddess Ganga, the holy river Ganges, an allusion to the legend how Siva received Ganga into his hair to absorb the impact of her swift descent from the Himalayas.

Karaikkal Ammaiyar – Solid cast in bronze, this was found in 1960 at Siva Devale No. 5,Polonnaruva and belongs to the 12th Century. Figures of this nature are uncommon and fashioned in individual form where the sculptor gives free expression to his imagination. This particular work has been compared by archaeologists with a somewhat similar image at the Kansas City Art Gallery. Her husband abandoned Karaikkal Ammaiyar. Depressed she determined to spend the rest of her life as an ardent devotee of Siva. As a result of her beseeching god to rid her of her feminine beauty, she was transformed into an old woman with a gaunt figure and an eerie appearance.

Other Activities in Polonnaruwa

Wood Carving – Sri Lanka, which is well-known for handicrafts, holds long olden times of craft heritage. According to “Mahawamsa” the prevailed arts and crafts were innovated with the arrival of Nun “Sanghamitta” to Sri Lanka from India. The history report that crafts men belong to sixty special castes arrived to Sri Lanka along with her on her visit that brought the Sacred Bo- Tree to Anuradhapura. With this heritage Sri Lanka got fame all over the world for its arts and crafts. If you visit ancient cities like Anuradgapura, Polonnaruwa, Sigiriya and Kandy you will wonder at the complicated designs of Sri Lankan craftsmen. The perfect stone carving of Samadhi Buddha statue, the stone Buddha statues at Anuarhapura: Awkana, Polonnaruwa Gal Vihara is exclusive in their carving. Ambekke Temple is an additional marvelous place that you must visit on your visit to Sri Lanka. The complicated wood carvings at the temple are stupendous in their beauty and designs. Still Polonnaruva have traditional carpenters who are engaged in wood carving. They create those age old master pieces. You can also wines a wood carving superstore where you will be shown all the types of timber and hardwood available in Sri Lanka and all the creative furniture made by Polonnaruva excellent craftsmen.

Minneri National Park – Minneriya Park is a national park in the North Central Province of Sri Lanka. The park is a dry period feeding ground for the elephant inhabitants. Sri Lankan Leopard and Sloth bear which are uncommon and endangered species also live in this area. The park was declared as a wild life sanctuary in order to protect the watershed of Minneriya tank and the wildlife of the nearby area. The tank is historically important for the nation as it was built by King Mahasen in the 3rd century AD. Your overnight stay will be at a unique place which is called as Elephant Watch Hut in Habarana. From the name itself gives the meaning of the location and is surrounded from the forest where you will get the opportunity of seeing wild elephants in the night time depending on your luck. You will be accommodated in a Tree House and from the top you will get a 360° view of the adjoining jungle. You will get a once in a life time experience of seeing a Wild Elephant close to your Tree House and also you will enjoy a Sri Lankan themed dinner and breakfast at this exclusive property. The Park’s faunal type include 24 variety of mammals, 160 variety of birds, 9 species of amphibians, 25 species of reptiles, 26 variety of fish and 75 species of butterflies.

Kaudulla national Park – Like Minneriya, Kaudulla offers a good chance of getting up close and personal with elephants. Kaudulla National Park, 6,900 hectares in extent, is one of the more recently established National Parks in Sri Lanka. This park stands on the fringe of the ancient Kaudulla Wewa, It is situated in the North Central Province, just 30km away from Polonnaruwa. Kaudulla is historically important as it is one of the famed 16 irrigation tanks built by King Mahasen. The tank which dominates the background of the Park is an important meeting place for hundreds of species of wildlife which popularly includes hundreds of Elephants who come to water at the reservoir, especially during the dry seasons. Kaudulla National Park famous for migrating Elephants from Minneriya National Park in the North Central Province and Wasgamuwa National Parks in the Central and the Somawathiya National Park in the north east regions. The park mainly consists of a mix of dry scrub forest and grasslands. Generally, each year during the months of July to September large groups of elephants are found in the Minneriya National Park and then they migrate to Kaudulla National Park during the months September to November due to high rains and lakes getting filled up. Then the elephants move on to Hurulu Eco Park for the final leg of their migration during the month of December to January. Others include 24 species of mammals like sambar deer, Sri Lankan axis deer, chevrotain, wild boar, Asian spoonbill, grey-headed fish eagle, painted stork and openbill stork are common visuals at the park. Aside from these, one could rarely capture the glimpse of leopard and sloth bear in the forest and 160 of species of birds also identified here are 26 species of fish, 25 species of reptiles also there. A safari in the Kaudulla national park in Sri Lanka is a bucket-list aspiration for many tourists, which mean the place is an absolutely incredible wildlife spectacle. Going on a bumpy ride through an evergreen forest of Kaudulla national park along the small trails is a great adventure. The best time to visit the park is between August and December, particularly during September and October when the largest gathering of Elephants can be witnessed. Visitors also have the opportunity to take a memorable paddle boat ride across the reservoir, an excellent means of observing birds at close range.