Polonnaruwa


Polonnaruwa is another famous tourist destination in Sri Lanka and it is located in polonnaruwa district,Sri Lanka.The kaduruwela is the new town of polonnaruwa and rest of other parts remains as the royal ancient city of kingdom of polonnaruwa.Polonnaruwa is the second well planned and managed kingdom among the ancient kingdoms found in Sri Lanka.Polonnaruwa was first established by the Chola dynasty after their successful invasion of the capital at that time.Anuradhapura was the capital at that time.Ancient ruined city of polonnaruwa has been declared as a world heritage site.The way of the creation of the name “Polonnaruwa”is still exactly unknown.But some believe it was created by the tamil term “Pulainari”,used for polonnaruwa at that time.And some others  believe it is a contraction from the names “Pulastiya Nagara” or “Pulatti Nakaram” used by Hindus.It was renamed  by chola rulers as “Janathapuram” or “Jananathapuram”.According to the reports of Jayabahu 1,it was mentioned as ‘Vijayarajapuram” later derived by the name “Vijayabahu”.


Population

The majority of polonnaruwa Is Sinhalese,Muslimsare second and sri Lankan tamil,indian tamils,others are in very little amount.

History


After “Chola” attackers captured and named ancient city of polonnaruwa,it was named as Jananathapuram in the 10th century and they started to destroy the Buddhist civilization in the northern plains of Sri Lanka.The Raja Chola 1 built a kovil for god Shiva and named it her queens name “Mahadevisvaram” and at present it is known as Siva Devale and polonnaruwa was captured by the Sinhala king Vijayabahu 1 of polonnaruwa,also known as Vijayabahu the great.


Lankathilaka Pilimageya

It was ancient Buddhist temple complex in polonnaruwa.As mentioned in Chulawamsa,it was built using bricks and it’s roof was built in a circular shape and it believes that it was  built according to the method of “Gedige”.It is consist of 3 parts.Inside it,there is a Lord Buddhas statues of 40 feet height.But some parts of this statue had destroyed.


Demala Maha Seya

It is another ruined place that attracts tourists.As stories it was built to remind the attack did against Cholas in India.In this attack,the commander of Sinhala army brought 12000 labours after the attack.To remind this,the “Demala Maha Seya” by the king Parakramabahu the great.

Sath Mahal Prasadaya

Sath Mahal Prasadaya is located within the ancient city of polonnarywa near “Galpotha” granite plate and it is about 9m height.As mentioned in “Mahawamsa”,it was built by Parakramabahu the great.It was built with 7 stories according to the ascending order of size from top to bottom.It is believes that it is a very rare type of stupa.And this stupa as same as the stupa in LAMAHA WAATH KUKUTH in Thailand.

Nisshanka Latha Mandapaya


This is unique building to Sri lanka located in the ancient city of polonnaruwa.It was built by theking Nisshankamalla and the name of this building also named by his name.Around this building there are many ruined ancient buildings with historical value.The whole building was constructed with granite .This place was used by king Nisshankamalla to attend religious activities.And inside it,there is a amall stupa and it is believed that this stupa was used as the Casket when doing religious activities.

Gal Viharaya


This temple is identified as “Gal Vihara”at present  and was identified as “Utthararamaya” in past.It is a house of Lord Buddhas statues made of granite in static huge rock.This was built y the king Parakramabahu the great.

Kumara Pokuna

Inside the polonnaruwa ancient city,this ‘Kumara Pokuna” is situated in.As mentioned in stories this was identified as “Shila Pokkarani”.This pond was used by members of royal family and because of that this name was given for the pond.This pond is 44 feet long and 38 feet.A granite stairecase o get in the pond and in the middle,a granite stage can be seen.There is also a automatic way to remove unclean water and to supply clean water to the pond.