Polonnaruwa is located in the north-central province of Sri Lanka. North Central Province consists of Polonnaruwa and Anuradhapura Districts. Polonnaruwa is administered as an administrative district. The total land area of the Polonnaruwa district is 3403 square kilometers. Present-day Polonnaruwa District is the second kingdom of Sri Lanka and is home to many historical sites.
Polonnaruwa is a district in the dry zone of Sri Lanka. Polonnaruwa is one of the leading district in paddy-growing districts in Sri Lanka. Overall, Polonnaruwa District is one of the largest contributors to agriculture in Sri Lanka. Also, Polonnaruwa is a beautiful area with major lakes in Sri Lanka.
The historical significance of Polonnaruwa
Polonnaruwa is the second kingdom of Sri Lanka. After the collapse of the Anuradhapura Kingdom, the first kingdom of Sri Lanka, Polonnaruwa became the Kingdom of Sri Lanka.In the last half of the kingdom of Anuradhapura, Because of weak rulers Fell into the hands of the Chola invaders. Polonnaruwa was first made a kingdom by the Chola invaders. It is said that Polonnaruwa was known as "Jananathamangalam" during the period when Polonnaruwa was under the Chola invaders.
Later King Vijayabahu I defeated the Chola invaders and restored the kingdom of Polonnaruwa to the native people. King Vijayabahu I can be described as a king who did a great service the prosperity of the country and for the advancement of Buddhism. King Vijayabahu I in particular played an important role in reviving Buddhism, which had declined under the rule of the Chola invaders.
King Parakramabahu I can be described as a special king who emerged in the kingdom of Polonnaruwa after King Vijayabahu I.
The reign of King Parakramabahu I can be pointed out as the most special period of the kingdom of Polonnaruwa. Also King Parakramabahu I is mentioned in history as a king who made the kingdom of Polonnaruwa self-sufficient in rice and made it economically strong. It is said that during the reign of King Parakramabahu I, Sri Lanka was known as the "granary of the Oriental".
The reign of King Parakramabahu I can also be described as an era in which the construction of the Parakrama Samudra lake and the irrigation industry flourished.
History also records several foreign invasions of King Parakramabahu I. It is information about the invasions launched in Burma and South India. The reason for the invasion of Burma, History states that the King of Burma increased tariffs on merchant ships from Sri Lanka to Burma and prevented ships from entering Sri Lanka from entering Burma. In addition, Mentioned in history of several factors that led to the invasion of Burma.
The reign of King Parakramabahu I can be described as a period of strong economic as well as state power.
King Nissankamalla can be identified as one of the leading kings of the kingdom of Polonnaruwa after King Parakramabahu I. The history of the kingdom of Polonnaruwa mentions many services rendered by King Nissankamalla for the advancement of Buddhism as well as the rule of the state.
Tourists places in and around Polonnaruwa
Polonnaruwa is a beautiful destination with many ruins. Most of the remaining historical ruins of Polonnaruwa belong to Buddhism. Historical ruins of Hinduism can be seen in Polonnaruwa due to the influence of the South Indian Chola invaders who invaded the kingdom of Polonnaruwa.
Among the historical sites of Polonnaruwa
- Polonnaruwa Gal vihara temple
- Thiwanka Pilimageya Temple
- Polonnaruwa Sadakadapahana
- nishshankalatha mandapaya
- Galpotha Inscription ( Stone book )
- Pothgul viharaya Temple
- Polonnaruwa Vatadhageya
- Hetadageya temple
- Kumara Pokuna
- Kiri Vehera Temple
- Statue of King Parakramabahu
- sathmahal prasadaya temple
- Thuparama Statue House
- Alahana Pirivena
- Parakrama samudra lake
- Polonnaruwa Shiwa Devalaya
- Demala (Tamil) Maha seya temple
and other places.
The Polonnaruwa Stone Temple(gal viharaya) Buddhist Shrine is a masterpiece of art. It is a complete stone structure and three statues depicting the three postures of the Buddha are located in the sacred area of the stone temple(gal viharaya).
The Polonnaruwa (Gal Potha Sellipiya) Stone Book Inscription, made by King Nissankamalla, is considered to be the largest inscription in Sri Lanka. This rock inscription is about 26 feet long and about 4 feet wide. Also, no other king of Sri Lanka has made any other inscription with as long details as the Polonnaru inscription (stone book).
The Thivanka Statue House was built by King Parakramabahu I who ruled in Polonnaruwa. The Thivanka Statue House, which is famous for its 12th-century paintings, has a large Buddha statue. Also, the historical sites mentioned above have an inherent historical significance.
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| Polonnaruwa Galpotha ( stone book ) inscription |
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| Polonnaruwa watadageya Ancient Temple |
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| An old Shiva temple located in Polonnaruwa |
Roads to polonnaruwa and other information
Tourists traveling from Colombo to Polonnaruwa can reach Polonnaruwa by public buses and trains. The distance from Colombo to Polonnaruwa is about 228 km. Public buses are available from the Colombo pettah bus stand to Polonnaruwa. Tourists wishing to travel to Polonnaruwa by train can obtain the train from the Pettah Railway Station. From another part of Sri Lanka Polonnaruwa can be reached by public buses and from cities with railway stations. Come and experience the past historical pride and beauty of Polonnaruwa.
Useful links, Travel to Polonnaruwa
Sri Lanka Railway seats Reservations website- https://seatreservation.railway.gov.lk
Book Hotels or accommodation
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