If consider to visit Sri Lanka and planning to add the best of cultural and historical explores to your itinerary make sure that you keep some space in your travel diaries to visit Gal Vihara temple complex.
The site has a incredible history and immense cultural value, while the temple complex is best known for the beautifully preserved and presented three of the 3D Buddha statues in different positions of sedentary, standing and reclining images of Buddha.
The following information about a detailed and complete guide about what you need to know if you are planning your next visit to Gal Vihara temple.
History of Gal Vihara
The Gal Vihara temple is located base in the ancient capital of Polonnaruwa, the second monarchy was in the reign of ancient Sri Lanka. So as Gal Vihara temple formed during the period of time to Polonnaruwa kingdom.
The temple complex found earlier as an deserted forest which later converted as a part of the late king’s northern central province monastery. The three sacred images of Buddha were comprised on late king Parakkrabahu request who initiated the monastery project. The monastery was earlier called as ” Uththararamaya”.
As per the chronological records, the monastery was created during 12th century. The images are carved into a large granite gneiss rock which meant to define the different stages of Lord Buddha in standing, meditating and reclining poses in uneven sizes.
The monument is known as one of the most visited tourist attractions in Polonnaruwa and the artistic skills depict in the statues and the magnificent creativity of the artist in personifying a giant rock to delicate images.
Things to see in Gal Vihara
What you encounter to explore in Gal Viharaya is mostly about the beautifully carved Buddha images. The place is very much serene and a relaxing one surely ready to offer you a unique experience for your visit. Also, the monastery is mostly celebrated as one of the most Instagramic and iconic highlights in Sri Lanka promising to fill your album with so many picturesque snaps.
Gal Vihara monastery has a lot to admire apart from the series of Buddha statues. If you explore the site in details you will get a better insight about the art, history, culture and spiritual perception presents with Buddhist believes and practices.
At Gal Vihara temple you can learn about the best of artic, cultural and historical skilled descended from a history runs back to more than two thousand five hundred of years.
Best time to visit Gal Vihara
Situated at the central plains of the country, Gal Vihara temple location usually found dry and hot throughout the day. The site is not so crowded even though it is always known as one if the most visited tourist, cultural, religious and iconic attractions. Therefore, the site find relaxing and serene throughout the year.
If you like to avoid tormenting hot weather, the best time to visit the place is morning and the evening hours where you will find the place is not so hot but dry and cold.
How to get Gal Vihara
If you are planning your journey all the way from commercial capital Colombo or Colombo international airport, the drive would be quite hectic and taking time.
If your schedules are already firmed to visit Gal Vihara from Colombo or Colombo international airport, the best recommended is to make it by private transfers which will be quicker and comfortable than making it by public transfers.
Yet, if you would like to make it more relaxing trip the best recommended is to visit Gal Vihara temple from Sigiriya, Anuradhapura or Polonnaruwa. Polonnaruwa is the destination whereas Gal Vihara temple is based. Gal Vihara temple is found in Nissankamallapura, Polonnaruwa.
From Colombo the distance to Polonnaruwa Gal Vihara is about 222 Km and proximity wise it will take about five hours by a private transfers. If you prefer to make it by train or public bus the travel duration will take more probably by bus approximately around 7 to 8 hours drive and by train which is highly on availability 10 hours or even more including the connection exchanges and waiting time.
If you are planning to take the train, you have to proceed Colombo Central Fort station and there are about 3 trains per day or different schedules. The three trains are passing through Polonnaruwa and heading to different destinations and so as you can get down at Polonnaruwa and get a bus or a taxi to Nissankamallapura, and then to Gal Vihara temple.
If you get into the bus you can get your bus that is directly heading to Polonnaruwa or passing through one from Colombo central bus station.
Editorial Staff at Ceylon Empire Travels are Specialist in Sri Lanka Travel.
