It is the historic city of Polonnaruwa in the centre of Sri Lanka set amidst lush green jungle exploring, with the magnificent ruins revealing information invaluable of the ancient civilization of the island. Polonnaruwa is historically been known as Sinhalese royal Kingdom’s royal city in medieval Period but today Polonnaruwa is well known archaeological site and world heritage site to scholars, historians, archaeologist and tourists world wide.
Polonnaruwa and it’s history
The Sinhalese monarchs of this town moved their capital to Polonnaruwa in the 10th century preferring it over Anuradhapura, which had become vulnerable to invasion of the South Indian forces. This sets Sri Lanka into what many still regard as the glorious chapter in Sri Lanka’s history, a stable political climate and a booming economy. This status of cosmopolitan center began to have an effect everywhere from religion, toart, and so forth.
This is the reign of King Parakramabahu I
Best epitomised is the record fertility of Polonnaruwa best depicted was exhibited by that of king Parakramabahu I whose leadership was ushering in a newly launched oil (wellspring of power) period of political power and all round achievements. Best known for his large irrigation structures, the most imposing of all which still stands today as a distinctive feature of this ancient city is the Parakrama Samudra – Sea of Parakrama. Like many others this reservoir supported high impact agriculture which maintained the population densities and economic strength of the kingdom.
Particularly as Highlighting Architecture and Artistic Creation
Polonnaruwa is also an example of architectural and sculptural achievements. As regards the layout, one may conclude that the level of planning and urban layout in the city developed with great attention to the orientation of the sacral areas, palaces, and administrative buildings. The world famous Ethi Gal Vihara a massive statue of the Buddha a rock temple home to some of the most magnificent examples of this type of Buddhist are the Great Northern Temple of the Dambulla or the Be it the Gal Vihara. These status are probably some of Sri Lanka’s finest examples of sculpture and have a religio calm feeling to them.
The Royal Palace is there, the Audience Hall and Shiva Devale No.2 with stony structured tiled depictions and designs show us the period taste in art. The city area is an exhibit of every building in it, a history of a culture with inbuilt art and architecture.
Polonnaruwa Today
Polonnaruwa is a silent spectator and living testimonies of a historical past of Sri Lanka as well as a witness in the present time. Sri Lanka’s present felt to be an active cultural area where the present and the past are very much intertwined. It is scenically situated, being very ancient city having forest like vegetation and river on one side and a lake on other.
Conservation as well as the related efforts in the tourism.
Maintaining cultural relics and monuments of the site for perpetuity, this site comes under both international and Sri Lankan heritage laws that have been introduced to protect this site under Sri Lankan heritage laws. It is run through the lens of sustainable tourism, ensuring it provides knowledge, but causes as little impact to the physical landscape as possible.
Easily accessible amenities are the main contributor to the booming of local trade with local trade heavily relying on it being boosted by tourism. You can bike across the city checking out those attractions or take a walking tour of the city, or even ponder the way of a city with such a history and still with the spirit of its ancient people.
Supporting education impact and cultural events
Polonnaruwa is full of great educational value. However, it is owing to the fact that the exhibit was found, that the conditions are still good for students and researchers to become familiar with the principles of ancient urban planning, architecture, and hydraulic engineering at the exhibit itself. In addition, cultural fairs and festivals are organized to provide participation groups throughout the year across country and internationally.
Polonnaruwa Best Places to Visit.
Located in the heart of Sri Lanka, Polonnaruwa is a gem and with history and culture, not to mention breathtaking natural beauty, Polonnaruwa is one place you don’t want to miss. Rich in heritage and with an impressive amount of ruins and remnants of its time as an ancient capital rich medieval city, it is the second ancient capital of the island. Being under a tight schedule in visiting the grand historic sites has many pitfalls waiting for the uninitiated to fall to, so this guide has highlighted the best places to visit.
Gal Vihara
The most venerated sites in Polonnaruwa, are the Gal Vihara, with its splendid Pristine Buddha sculpted into a large granite rock. Included are a reclining Buddha measuring over 14 meters long as a symbol of the Buddha’s nirvana, along with standing and throne statues of the Buddha depicting various turns through the Buddha’s life. The carvings so possess the expressions and details that visitors are still awe struck.
The Quadrangle
An area of ancient structures each surrounded by a terrace is compact and has a high concentration of them. Key monuments here include the Vatadage (now housing four Buddha statues each one back-to-back around a central stupa, decorated beautifully with moonstones and guard stones). It’s a place with precision architecture cinching to the spiritual.
Lankatilaka Temple
Its walls tower high and an enormous image house with the remnants of an enormous statue of the Buddha once stood within it. The temple itself is a classic example of how Hindu and Buddhist influences combine to form an important aspect of the cultural synthesis that characterized ancient Polonnaruwa.
Parakrama Samudra
The ancient Sinhalese were undoubtedly attained in engineering skills as depicted by the Parakrama Samudra or the ‘Sea of Parakrama’. King Parakramabahu I built this vast reservoir to irrigate the paddy fields and to insure the kingdom of a constant water supply. Today it is a stunning backdrop for sunset, and is a bird watching, leisurely stroll along its banks kind of place.
Polonnaruwa Archaeology Museum.
To dive into the ruins, you need to visit the Polonnaruwa Archaeological Museum first. A collection of artifacts, including Hindu statues, finely carvings, and debris from palace decor give a more profound appreciation on how everyday lives and religious practices of the ancient city’s inhabitants.
The Royal Palace
A seven story Royal Palace left the remnants and gives you a glimpse into the luxurious lifestyle of the Sinhalese Monarchy. Although much of the walls and few of the buildings are gone, the layout and scale of the palace complex are of greatness yet to exemplify the grandness once prevalent at the royal residence.
Pothgul Vehera
Pothgul Vehera, a monastery complex considered to have been used as an educational institution contains an unusual circular library structure where texts were probably stored. The existence of this site is ascribing Polonnaruwa as one of the centers of Buddhist learning and scholarship at its heyday.
Kiri Vehera
Polonnaruwa is a lush landscape and the backdrop is beautifully white and majestic Kiri Vehera is a wonderfully preserved stupa. It is one of the oldest structures in the city and has some historical connection to the Alahana Pirivena monastery complex retaining the functions of educating and religious.
Conclusion
Polonnaruwa is a place with huge historical, cultural and natural value and can be said as a living museum at present. Not only is it the memorial of the ancient victories of the Sri Lanka people, but is also an educational monument. for those history lovers or the people with spurious interest in the people achievements and toughness, Polonnaruwa will be a lifetime memory which has to be described as unique.
Whether I am a fan of history, art or a tourist in need of some serenity, Polonnaruwa has a lot to offer and you are unlikely to forget what you saw no matter when you go. Every stones of it is a hold of historic values and it has something special thing to provide in every paths it makes this place a remarkable place for any visitor in Sri Lanka.
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