Looking forward to make the best of your most awaited Polonnaruwa discovery? Check for the following places to visit in Polonnaruwa.
1. Uththararamaya (Gal Vihara)
Uththararamaya, also known as Gal Vihara temple complex is the most iconic resemblance that represents the ancient Kingsland, Polonnaruwa to the world. A tour to Polonnaruwa would be in vain if you couldn’t make a visit to this magnificent open image art gallery.
Uththararamaya is located from a fair proximity from Polonnaruwa city center by bus or by a private transfers. If can make it by a private transfer your tour would be more convenient as you can save your precious time and moods to discover its best.
Also, if you can make it in morning hours or evening hours the visit would be a comfortable one as you can avoid tormenting hot weather. A tip to visiting the site, as you are entering a religious place you are required to be in a modest attire probably something cover your shoulders and knee levels.
So what makes Uththararamaya a worth place to visit. Being a historical place with immense cultural, religious, religious and artistic significances, it has listed under UNNESCO heritages sites.
Uththararamaya comes to the picture in 12th century which has innovated under the patronage of the late King Parakkamabahu 1. Despite the historical value the temple is famous for the beautifully carved four graceful Buddha statues carved facing a large grantite rock. The statues are in four different positions of a seated figure, standing figure, reclining figure and another small seated figure one that you will find in an artificial carvern.
2. Polonnaruwa vatadage
Second from the list is another historical and cultural attraction based in Polonnaruwa name Vatadage which is identified as Stupa house.
Vatadage is also believed to be constructed by the great King Parakkramabahu 1 or King Nissanka Malla and is also have built during Polonnaruwa era. The structural monument. The purpose of the construction is believed to shelter and treasure the arms bowl used by Lord Buddha or to venerate the holly relics belonged to Lord Buddha.
Polonnaruwa vatadage is considered as the best example for preserved stupa house structures. It looks very innovative the way that the designer has completed the construction on two stories of stone platforms adorned by enormous dekicate stone carvings that are full of detailed graphics.
The place has been abandoned for years and the excavations related the site has begun in the year of 1903. And it has discovered many chronologically valuable records related to the site.
3. Rankoth Vehera
Next we are heading to one of the most visited attraction in Polonnaruwa and that is none other than Rankoth Vehera.
Structure wise the great innovation resemblance the marvelous Stupa Ruwanwelisaya in Anuradhapura.
Being the second Kingdom in Sri Lanka immediately shifted from former kingdom Anuradhapura, the traditions, values and related practices are also brought with the state formalities and constructing Stupa has also been part of the priorities of the monarchies which made the custom to continue to build the stupas and Rankoth Vehera has also been the part of this religious projects.
4. Somawathiya Chaitya
It’s worth saying that Somawathiya has become the central attraction based in Polonnaruwa as it keep attracting number of local and international pilgrims and so as the tourists. The fascinating stupa is truly enchanting with the legends and the historical values it treasures along with the holy relics belonging to Lord Buddha.
A visit to Somawathiya Chaitya is considered as a far beyond spiritual attainment and a self discovery to regular pilgrimages and historical site visits. The stupa is located amidst a dense of forest and reaching the premise is not so an east task to make that may make you feel an adventurous journey.
Even though Somawathiya Chaitya is found in Polonnaruwa destination, the journey is immersing you through the dilapidated kingdom of Polonnaruwa to a village name Sungavila. And the site is reachable via a sanctuary allowing you to explore the exotic and enthralling wildlife beauty as you may come across wallowing wild elephants heading to wetlands.
The stupa is believed to constructed in second century of B.C but the site has gone through extensive reconstructions and modifications up to date. If you are touring in Polonnaruwa and not so in a rush plan keep some times from your travel diaries to explore this fascinating site.
5. Medirigiriya Vatadage
Here we are exploring another fascinating historical construction related to use as a Stupa house. Similar to other historic and cultural heritage that you come across in Polonnaruwa, Medirigiriya Vatadage is also celebrated for it’s incredible architectural, art, historical and cultural significances.
As per the chronological records and the Bhrami letters that are inscribed on the stones record sources around the structure testifying the history related to the site. The first reference related to Medirigiriya Vatadage states the site ha constructed during the reign of late king Kanittha during the years of 192-194 BC.
6. Thivanka Image House
The last from the top most visited sites from Polonnaruwa destination is Thivanka Image House, one of the most sophisticated historical sites found in Sri Lankan history.
Thivanka Image House is indeed an artistic and innovative open art gallery. It has a lot of things to inspire your visit. Firstly the aesthetic beauty projects by the architectural and interior works.
The site is also an innovation under the patronage of King Parakkramabahu and this beautiful image house is related to Jethawanaramaya Temple complex. The place has been created by using brick applications as they were in the most other structures found in the era.
The central attraction of the gallery is the Buddha statue was about 8m height in original construction. Unfortunately, the upper body is no longer visible due to destruction caused years back with different political invasions.
Thivanka image house is most celebrated for it’s beautiful showcase of frescoes reflecting indicating different episodes of Jathaka katha (the stories related pre births of Lord Buddha before attaining the enlightenment).
Polonnaruwa is a destination worth visiting for days as it has so much to discover and a play that will allow you to revel a wide variety of experiences related nature, history, culture, spiritual and relaxation. If your time permits try to explore its best and inspire your journeys.
Editorial Staff at Ceylon Empire Travels are Specialist in Sri Lanka Travel.
