Matale Ambilla Raja Maha Viharaya (මාතලේ ඇඹිල්ල රජමහා විහාරය)
Ambilla Raja Maha Viharaya is a virtual art gallery situated in isolation at the historic Sannas Kanda in Matale is considered to have been constructed during the time of king Walagamba.
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Ambagamuwa Inscriptions (අඹගමුව සෙල් ලිපි)
Ambagamuwa inscription is considered as one of the main sources of information in Polonnaruwa Era. The inscription has been made on the 36th year of King Vijayabahu I (1070-1110).
Uda Aludeniya Raja Maha Viharaya (උඩ අළුදෙනිය රජමහා විහාරය)
The Uda Aludeniya Raja Maha Viharaya is located on the Kandy – Gampola road is said to be built by a person called Maayim Bandara during the reign of King Buvanekabahu IV (1341-1351) of Gampola Kingdom.
Alu Viharaya Rock Temple (මාතලේ අලුවිහාරය)
Aluvihara, meaning “Cave of Light,” is a legendary 3rd-century BCE monastery where the Tripitaka was first committed to writing during King Valagamba’s reign. This historic Matale site features thirteen rock caves adorned with vibrant Jataka murals, ancient inscriptions, and the library preserving sacred talipot leaf manuscripts.
Aliwatte Caves (අලිවත්ත ලෙන්)
According to the oral-tradition, one such place, was ‘Aliwatte’ in Yatiyantota with a spacious cave in a massive rock, covering several perches of land, where King Walagamba had found secret accommodation once, during his exile.
Alakeshwara Archaeological Site at Pittakotte – Tomb or Palace? (පිටකෝට්ටේ අලකේශ්වර සොහොන)
Believed to be the place of burial of the founder of Kotte Kingdom, the Tomb of Alakeshwara can be easily reached through the Alakeshwara road on the Pittakotte road.
Algama Kanda Purana Len Viharaya (අල්ගම කන්ද පුරාණ ලෙන් විහාරය)
Algama Kanda Ancient Cave Temple lies in the District of Kurunegala in the village of Algama. Although this cave temple has not caught the public eye, it has been found that this temple goes back to the time of King Walagamba (89-77 BC) and probably built by him.
Agbopura Monastic Site (අග්බෝපුර වන සෙනසුන)
A document of archaeological interest drawn by J.A.W. Jayasinghe and checked by the Director of archaeology, dated, 10 December 2004, reveals the presence of two Stupas (much buried) at the Agbopura monastic site, one and many more buildings belonging to the site.
Places of Interest in Polonnaruwa
The history Polonnaruwa goes as far as 6th century BC when a minister of the king Vijaya (From whom the Sinhalese race was born) established a town called “Vijitha Grama” on the area now called Kaduruwela. This is also the place for the famous “Battle of Vijithapura” between the Great King Dutugamunu (161-131 BC) and the Tamil invader Elara in his effort to re-unite the country under one Sinhalese King.
Naipena Viharaya : Vishnu Devale No. 4 : Siva Devale No. 5 (නයිපෙන විහාරය : විෂ්නු දේවාලය අංක 4 : ශිව දේවාලය අංක 5)
The ruins known as Naipena Viharaya lies away from the main cluster of ruins and the ancient main street of ancient Polonnaruwa Kingdom. Here infect lies 2 kovils. On the left is the larger structure which is called the Siva Kovil Number 5. Adjoining it is a smaller structure now identified as s Vishnu Kovil Number 4.
Polonnaruwa Thivanka Pilimage (තිවංක පිලිම ගෙය)
The Thivanka Pilimage is a 12th-century masterpiece in Polonnaruwa, famous for its colossal Buddha statue curved in three places (Thivanka). The interior walls are adorned with the island’s finest Polonnaruwa-era murals, depicting Jataka tales and celestial journeys.
Gal Viharaya (Rock Temple) at Ancient Capital of Polonnaruwa (ගල් විහාරය)
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.
Menik Vehera – Polonnaruwa (මැනික් වෙහෙර)
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.
Eastern Entrance to the Inner City of Polonnaruwa Kingdom (ඇතුල් නගර නැගෙනහිර දොරටුව – පොලොන්නරුව)
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.
Siva Devale No. 3 and Ganesh Devale of Polonnaruwa Kingdom (ශිව දේවාලය අංක 3 හා ගනේශ් කෝවිල)
These two Siva Kovil and the Ganesh Kovil is situated on the left side of the inner city entrance of the Ancient Capital of Polonnaruwa.
Vishnu Devale No. 2 of Polonnaruwa Kingdom (විෂ්නු දේවාලය අංක 2)
This Vishnu Kovil is situated on the right side of the inner city entrance of the Ancient Capital of Polonnaruwa. This kovil has been completely built with granite blocks but only the bottom portion of the building survives today.
Siva Devale No. 2 of Polonnaruwa Kingdom (ශිව දේවාලය අංක 2)
This Siva Kovil (devalaya) is regarded as one of the oldest surviving structures from the Polonnaruwa Kingdom, having withstood the effects of time remarkably well. It is believed to have been constructed by Cola (Chola) invaders during the 10th century, when they initially established their capital in Polonnaruwa.
Atadage at Polonnaruwa (පොලොන්නරුව අටදාගේ)
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.
Statue of Bodhisattva at Dalada Maluwa of Polonnaruwa
The life-size 12th-century statue at Dalada Maluwa is identified as either a Bodhisattva or a royal, such as King Duṭugemuṇu. Sculpted with a bare torso and intricate regalia, its rigid form marks the transition from delicate Anurādhapura artistry to the powerful, vigorous style of the Polonnaruwa era.
Dalada Maluwa at Kingdom of Polonnaruwa (දළදා මලුව)
Dalada Maluwa is an elevated area in the Polonnaruwa Sacred City which many Buddhist buildings are situated. The Entrance to the Dalada Maluwa is through stone steps. Left to these steps is a stone slab with 3 carved figures, A man pointing towards the Dalada Maluwa, a crow and a dog.