The Polonnaruwa Vatadage is a pinnacle of ancient Sri Lankan architecture, characterized by its concentric stone pillars and double-tiered circular base. Commissioned by Parākramabāhu I and embellished by Nissanka Malla, this Stūpaghara features unique smooth-haired Buddha statues, exquisite Nāga guardstones, and iconic moonstones that historically omitted the bull.
The Hatadage in Polonnaruwa is a grand 12th-century shrine built to house the sacred Tooth Relic. Completed by Nissanka Malla but likely initiated by Parākramabāhu the Great, this two-story Gandhakuṭī features unique moonstones depicting lions, intricate stone carvings of hansa, and three standing Buddha statues within its ancient sanctum.
The Pabalu Vehera in Polonnaruwa is a unique 12th-century stupa attributed to Queen Rūpāvatī. Its name, meaning “beads,” stems from archaeological finds of glass beads. Featuring nine surrounding image houses and Mahāyāna inscriptions, this bubbulākāra structure remains the kingdom’s third-largest monument.
King Kelanitissa (r. 2nd or 3rd century BCE) ruled Kelaniya during a tragic era marked by his execution of an innocent high priest. This sacrilege triggered a devastating tsunami, leading to the sacrifice of his daughter, Princess Devī (Viharamahadevi), and the King’s own dramatic, supernatural demise.
Queen Vihāramahādevī, Sri Lanka’s most revered matriarch, sacrificed herself to the sea to save Kelaniya from a divine tsunami. Rescued by King Kākavaṇṇatissa, she became the ideological force behind her son, King Duṭṭhagāmaṇī, unifying the island under a Buddhist banner.
Jaffna Peninsula’s history centers on the Buddha’s mediation of a gem-studded throne dispute between Naga kings Mahodara and Chulodara. Archaeological evidence, like the Vallipuram gold plate and limestone statues, proves the entire Jaffna Peninsula was a flourishing 2nd-century Buddhist center under royal patronage.
Nagadeepa Viharaya marks the Buddha’s second visit to Sri Lanka to settle a Naga king’s dispute. Enshrining a gem-studded throne, this sacred Jaffna site survived civil conflict to become a rebuilt pilgrimage hub, accessible via a scenic causeway and boat journey.
Located atop Valli Kanda near Wedahitikanda Peak, this remote cave shrine is dedicated to Valli Amma. Open only during the June–July Kataragama Maha Perahera and the Padayatha, its rugged mountain terrain and remoteness prevent most general pilgrims from visiting this jungle shrine.
Rankot Vehera—also known as the Rankot Dagaba or Golden Spire—is the largest completed stupa in the ancient kingdom of Polonnaruwa. Located on the southern edge of the Alahana Parivena monastic complex, it stands as a remarkable example of 12th-century engineering and religious architecture.
Bambaragasthalawa, likely the ancient Naga Pabbatha Vihara built by King Gotabhaya, features a 500-acre complex. It contains ten destroyed stupas, a 36-pillar building, and a massive reclining Buddha. Numerous cave and rock inscriptions confirm its significance as an early monastic sanctuary.
Explore the Baddhasīmā Prāsāda, the 12th-century spiritual heart of Polonnaruwa. Built by King Parākramabāhu the Great, this monumental “Chapter House” unified the Buddhist order. Discover its massive stone pillars, sacred assembly halls, and its unique role within the historic Alāhana Pariveṇa monastic university.
The Alāhana Pariveṇa, King Parākramabāhu’s medieval monastic university, is a masterpiece of Sinhalese urban planning. Built on royal cremation grounds, its terraced landscape features the towering Laṅkātilaka Image House and the Baddhasīmāpāsāda. Remarkably, excavations revealed an advanced ancient hospital, complete with surgical instruments and medicinal stone troughs.
Henry Engelbrecht, famously remembered as “the last irreconcilable,” was a Boer prisoner of war turned game warden. Engelbrecht devoted 21 years of his life to protecting the wildlife in what is now the Ruhuna (Yala) National Park, earning lasting recognition for his dedication and jungle expertise.
Muruthawela Gini Petti Pālama, or “Matchbox Bridge,” is a unique elevated canal structure connected to Muruthawela Wewa. Surrounded by scenic paddy fields and hills, it offers tranquil views and safe bathing spots. This distinctive “bridge for water” remains a popular yet lesser-known attraction in southern Sri Lanka.
Built in 1854, the Christ Church Mutwal features a finely crafted Gothic screen and intricate stone carvings that reflect the colonial aesthetic of the period. Locally known as “Gal Palliya” (“Stone Church”) due to its enduring granite construction, it remains a prominent landmark in the Mutwal area worth visiting.
Located by the busy Lipton Roundabout in Colombo, built in 1883, Cinnamon Gardens Baptist Church is a welcoming and supportive Christian community known for its warm and inclusive atmosphere. The church conducts services in Tamil, Sinhala, and English every Sunday, along with a trilingual Sunday school.
Kiri Amma Ulpatha is a sacred natural spring revered by local communities and associated with ancient Vedda traditions. Today it is also linked to the worship of the goddess Pattini, attracting devotees who seek blessings for health, fertility, and prosperity.
Pussadeva, one of the legendary Dasa Maha Yodhayo of King Dutugemunu (161–137 BCE), was renowned for his extraordinary mastery of archery. Known as Unmada-Pussadeva, he could strike targets by sound or lightning. He famously slew the warrior Bhalluka during the final battles for Anuradhapura.
Khanjadeva, one of the legendary Dasa Maha Yodhayo of King Dutugemunu (161–137 BCE), was renowned for his immense strength despite a slight limp. Famous for whirling wild buffaloes and shattering enemy defenses at Vijitapura, he became a key commander in the campaign that defeated King Elara and unified Anuradhapura.
Velusumana was born in the mid-2nd century BCE in the village of Kutumbiyangana, located in the Giri district. His father, Vasabha, was a respected householder. His child was named after two friends of the father who visited the birth: Vela, a neighbor, and Sumana, the governor of the Giri district.
