Explore the Ancient City of Polonnaruwa
Interests
Activities
Royal Palace, Citadel and Kumara Pokuna
Believed to once have been a very large building (seven-storeys high), only the foundations remain of the Royal Palace. The red brick walls of the palace are still standing and when you walk in you see what is thought to be the audience hall. In its prime it is thought to have comprise queen chambers, official quarters, parks and baths.
Siva Devale #1 and #2
Due to the Chola invasion there is a high influence of the Hindu culture and religion within Polonnaruwa. At least 14 Hindu shrines have been found, including Siva Devale No. 1 and No. 2. Both were built according to South Indian architectural traditions using stone around the 13th century and are shrines to the Hindu god Shiva.
Sacred Quadrangle
The Sacred Quadrangle is a group of monuments including the Vatadage (AKA Watadage), Hatadage, Sathmahal Prasada, Nishshanka Latha Mandapaya, Gal Potha and more. The Vatadage is thought to be where the Sacred Tooth Relic of the Buddha was enshrined, and is surrounded by four well preserved seated Buddha statues.
Rankot Vehara
Rankot Vehara is a massive brown-coloured stupa and follows the architectural style of the city of Anuradhapura. There is a stone pathway that leads to the stupa and gateways that open at the cardinal points. It is 1 of 2 main stupas within the Polonnaruwa complex.
Alahana Parivena complex
The Alahana Parivena complex was founded by King Parakramabahu. The monastic complex includes the Baddhasima Prasada chapter house, statue and frescoes at Lankathilaka and the gleaming white stupa Kiri Vehera.
Gal-vihara
To enter Gal-vihara you need to produce your ticket again, so make sure you haven’t misplaced it. This rock shrine consists of a group of rock sculptures showing Buddha seated, standing and lying down. The standing Buddha statue is especially rare as it shows Buddha’s arms across the chest which is not seen often.
Tips
To get to Polonnaruwa it's better that you base yourself in Sigiriya: this way, you can climb the giant rock fortress, visit the Dambulla Cave Temple and go on a safari in Minneriya or Kaudulla National Parks. Sigiriya is a 3-hour drive away from Colombo, and Polonnaruwa is only an hour away from Sigiriya by car.
Entry fees for Polonnaruwa. An adult ticket costs 25 USD or 3850 LKR, and tickets for children cost exactly half of that.
It’s important to dress appropriately. Shoulders and knees should be covered, and you will have to take your shoes off to enter the shrines so bring shoes that are easy to slip on and off. Because of the weather in the area, the ground gets steaming hot, so bring so bring some socks along so you don’t burn your feet.
It should also be noted that taking photos with your back facing the Buddha images or statues are prohibited at all of the monuments.
