Polonnaruwa, Sri Lanka
"Polonnaruwa bears witness to several civilizations, notably that of the conquering Cholas, disciples of Brahminism, and that of the Sinhalese sovereigns during the 12th and 13th centuries. This immense capital created by the megalomaniac sovereign, Parakramabahu I, in the 12th century, is one of history's most astonishing urban creations, both because of its unusual dimensions and because of the very special relationship of its buildings with the natural setting. It is also a shrine of Buddhism and of Sinhalese history."
"After the destruction of Anuradhapura in 993 by Rajaraja, Polonnaruwa, a temporary royal residence during the 8th century, became the capital. The conquering Cholas constructed monuments to their religion (Brahmnism), and especially temples to Shiva where fine bronze statues, today in the National Museum in Colombo, were found. The reconquest of Ceylon by Vijayabahu I did not put an end to the city's role as capital: it became covered, after 1070, with Buddhist sanctuaries, of which the Atadage (Temple of the Tooth Relic) is the most renowned. The apogee of Polonnaruwa occurred in the 12th century AD. Two sovereigns then proceeded to endow it with monuments. Parakramabahu I (1153-86) created within a triple-walled enceinte a fabulous garden-city, where palaces and sanctuaries prolonged the enchantment of the countryside… After this golden age, Polonnaruwa underwent a century of difficulties, before its final decline." (Source: UNESCO; Read more).
Royal Palace of Parakramabahu,
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It apparently had seven storeys,
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A surviving staircase and
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Some of its chambers, said to
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Water was delivered via a
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The Kings council chamber
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Adjoining quarters that housed
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Carved pillars on top supported
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One of the carved pillars
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Around the base are friezes
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Elephants; each carving is
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The council chamber friezes
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Kumara Pokuna, or
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Fed by an underground water
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The platform of a building
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A royal urinal?
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The northern entrance,
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Likely the finest moon
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A Buddha statue at each of
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The Buddha of Polonnaruwa  |
Hatadage, a tooth relic chamber
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Main entrance
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Three standing Buddhas in the
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Atadage, a tooth relic chamber
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A standing Buddha in the
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Latha-Mandapaya, a pavilion
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Galpotha Inscriptions,
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Goddess Gajalakshmi flanked by
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Thuparama Gedige, a 12 cent.
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Buddha statues inside
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Lingam and Yoni
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Siva Devale #2
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Lingam and Yoni
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Pabalu [or Pabula] Vehera (1, 2)
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A dagoba, from 12th cent. CE
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Ruins of a reclining Buddha
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Made from red bricks
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Galvihara: giant, exquisite Buddha
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Buddha entering parinirvana
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Visiting monks at Galvihara
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Buddha in an unusual pose (more)
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Rankoth Vehera, the largest
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Similar in style to the giant
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Monks' Hospital with 15
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Stone cut trough to immerse
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Monastery near Rankoth
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Monks' residences
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Monastery near Rankoth
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Chapter House (info)
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Kiri Vihera, the best preserved
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Ruins near Kiri Vihara (more)
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Lankatilaka, a cathedral-like
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A Buddha statue down the isle
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Tivanka Image House (more)
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Remains of frescoes inside (1, 2)
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Remains of frescoes inside
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Remains of frescoes inside
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Manik Vehera, likely the earliest
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Built by King Vijayabahu (1, 2)
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Guard stones and terracotta
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A temple or monastery next
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Monks' cell near Manik Vehera
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Neelum Pokuna, a lotus shaped
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Landscape near the ruins
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A modern imitation of Lankatilaka
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Visitor at a monastery
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Visitor at the king's
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Visitor at the king's
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Waiting for a train to
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