Siva Kovil (no. 1) is the first kovil you will come across after entering the ancient city of Polonnaruwa. The walls of this kovil are made out of a closely fitted stone blocks of a type which is not found anywhere near Polonnaruwa.
Step into the heart of ancient Polonnaruwa and discover the majestic Palace Complex of King Parakramabahu the Great, where colossal ruins, legendary grandeur, and traces of royal life reveal the power and splendour of Sri Lanka’s medieval capital.
Remains of palace of Nissanka Malla lies behind the current Polonnaruwa Rest House along with the Audience Hall of of King Nissanka Malla. This place has been probably built mainly with bricks during the reign of King Nissanka Malla (1187-1196) thus there is only very little of this palace complex remains.
Nissanga Malla Audience Hall is made of solid rock and probably held a wooden roof. The building has been held by 48 stone pillars laid in 4 rows. The throne is a massive lion carved in stone. “Throne of the King” is carved at the bottom of the lion figure.
This is a lonely multi storied building made out of bricks. The staircase is still intact. An important feature of this building is that it has no windows. Due to this feature it is also thought to be a tomb of King Nissanka Malla. The original plaster is still intact giving a glimpse of what the plastering of buildings looked like over 800 years ago.
According to the accounts in the ancient texts, Deepa Uyana or the Island Garden would have been like no other. A grand garden complex – maybe even grander that the Great Parakramabahu’s palace complex.
This beautifully carved statue stands 11½ feet (3.5 meters) in height and is carved into a semi-circular rock boulder. Popular belief is that this is the statue of King Parakramabahu (1153-1186), thus generally known as the Parakramabahu Statue. Another belief is that this is a statue of an Indian high priest (probably Kapila) or Pulasthi.
A description of the Makara on the Makara Torana animal appearing in the Rajawaliya (v.192) runs as follows:“The makara has the front of an elephant, and the feet of a lion, ear of a pig, the body of a fish living in water, having teeth turned inside and eyes of those of hanuman and a nice tail.”
Sacred elements (Naga same term as serpent) consorted with the clouds bearing rain. These elements bestow upon the human world all the boons of earthly happiness such as abundance of crops, cattle, prosperity, offspring, health and long life. The following notes aim to examine the way of depicting in sculpture the genii, Naga presiding over the waters.
The moonstone is a permanent feature of the buddhist building of all historical periods. This is a semi circular piece of stone which stood at the foot of a flight of steps in most buddhist buildings. Although the moonstone is generally semi circular, Sometimes you can come across square moonstones. It is thought that the moon stones originated as blank square stone and later developed in to a semi circular shape.
Vessagiriya is located few hundred meters left to the current Isurumuniya on the old Anuradhapura-Kurunegala road. This temple complex is located in and around 3 beautiful bolder formations spread across a large area in front of the Tissa Weva. On one these is a remains of a dagaba.
The Royal Palace of King Vijayabahu I we see today in Anuradhapura is thought to be the temporary palace he constructed in 1055 for the celebrations in Anuradhapura.
The Thapowanaya is first mentioned in the reign of Kassapa IV ( 898 -914 AC) it is said that this king built a dwelling there for the Pamsukulika order of monks. Kassapa V (914 -923 AC) built the Deva dwelling in the Tapovana.
Ruwanweliseya was built by the great king Dutugamunu who reigned from 137BC to119BC. The original stupa has been about 180 feet (55 meters) in height and was renovated by many kings. The stupa is 350 feet (107 meters) in height and 300 feet (92 meters) in diameter today.
Ranmasu Uyana, the “Royal Goldfish Park,” is a 40-acre ancient pleasure garden in Anuradhapura. Famous for its sophisticated hydraulic systems and rock-cut bathing pools, it also houses the mysterious “Star Gate” carving. This tranquil site, where legends say Prince Saliya met Asokamala, perfectly blends history with nature.
Mirisawetiya Dagaba has been built by King Dutugamunu (161-137 BC) and this belongs to Mahavihara Complex. King Dutugamunu is the great king who defeated the Tamil invaders who ruled the country for 30 years and brought the country under one ruler.
Nestled in a tranquil forest near Mihintale, Kaludiya Pokuna is an ancient monastic site named after its dark, reflective pond. Surrounded by stone ruins, inscriptions, and meditative caves, it offers a peaceful glimpse into Sri Lanka’s early Buddhist heritage and timeless natural serenity.
Amongst its serene, tranquil beautiful forest and bolder clad environs we find some of the earliest examples of Sinhalese hydraulic civilization in Mihintale. Out of the many ponds and waterways that have graced this area three ponds and bathing places can be identified even today; Naga pokuna, Sinha pokuna and Kaludiya pokuna.
Amongst its serene, tranquil beautiful forest and boulder clad environs we find some of the earliest examples of Sinhalese hydraulic civilization in Mihintale. Out of the many ponds and waterways that have graced this area three ponds and bathing places can be identified even today; Naga pokuna, Sinha pokuna and Kaludiya pokuna.
To the west of the Mahaseya at Mihintale are the remains of a smaller stupa identified as Mihindu Seya, the one which king Uttiya, Devanampiyatissa’s successor built enshrining the relics of the great Sage Mahinda
