Kingdom of Polonnaruwa

Pothgul Vehera of the ancient Polonnaruwa Kingdom is located some distance from the statue and thought to be a Buddhist library complex and a place where the Buddhist writings were studied and resided.

Thivanka Pilimage was built by King Parakramabahu (1153-1186) and since the 8 meter tall image of Buddha has been curved in 3 places, this has been given the name “Thivanka” which literally means three curves.

The Nelum pokuna or the Lotus bath is a small stone bath of completely unique design, built in tiers of eight petalled lotuses in descending form.

Located on the Pollonanruwa ancient city complex, this gigantic uncompleted Stupa known as Damila Maha Seya (Demala Maha Seya) has been built by king Parakramabahu (1153-1186)

Gal Viharaya of Polonnaruwa is a magnificent group of statues of Buddha carved in a rock built by king Parakramabahu (1153-1186) which was part of the Uthararama Complex.

Polonnaruwa Lankathilaka Image House is a monolithic Buddha image house built by king Parakramabahu (1153-1186) lying on the South of Kiri Vehera.

The Baddhasima Malakaya, also known as the Buddha Seema Pasada, was built by Parakramabahu 1 (1153-1186) on the highest platform at the Alahena Pirivena.

Alahana Pirivena is the great monastic complex founded by Parakramabahu 1 (1153-1186), said to be built on a cremation ground, hence the name Alahana Pirivena.

Gopala Pabbatha in Polonnaruwa is a small cave monastery and also marks the southern boundary of Alahana Pirivena and lies on the north of Rankoth Vehera.

Rankoth Vehera (Goldern Pinnacle) Stupa, is the 4th largest stupa in the country after Ruwanveli Seya, Jetawanarama and Abhayagiriya in Anuradhapura. Built by King Nissanka Malla (1187-1196), it is 55 meters in height 185 meters in circumference. This is the largest Stupa in Polonnaruwa.

Menik Vehera Aramaic complex of the Polonnaruwa Kingdom is believed to be built on the 8th century. There are indications that some additions to this complex have been made at later stages.

Passing the Vishnu Kovil 2, on the main root you come to the Eastern Entrance to the inner city of the Polonnaruwa Kingdom. The inner city has been protected by a massive wall where the soldiers patrolled on the top, and a moat.

The origin of this unusually shaped Pabalu Vehera stupa is unknown but it is believed to been built by one of the king Parakramabahu’s ( 1153-1186 AD) consorts, queen Rupawathi.

Hetadage is an ancient shrine which housed the tooth relic during the Polonnaruwa Kingdom. According to the inscriptions on a stone slab next to this building, this building has been built by King Nissanka Malla (1187-1196) to house the tooth relic of Buddha. But it is unclear whether this was built by king Parakramabahu (1153-1186) and was renovated by Nissanka Malla (1187-1196) or whether Nissanka Malla (1187-1196) himself built it.

Atadage Dalada Maligaya is the house of the tooth relic of Buddha built by King Vijayabahu I (1070-1110). This building is built on 54 stone pillars. The tooth relic has been kept on the second floor probably made out of wood.