Heritage

Kuda Gal Viharaya at Polonnaruwa Ancient City (කුඩා ගල් විහාරය)

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On the east of the Badda Sema Malakaya, you can see a cave with carved statues of Buddha. This is known as the Kuda Gal Viharaya or the Lesser Rock Temple. On the steel identification board at the site, it will be identified as Cave Shrine (Guha Viharaya).

The reason for identifying this cave as the Lesser Gal Viharaya is due to the 4 Buddha statues caved in the rock on the larger cave inside this miniature shrine. Unfortunately heads of the all but statues have been destroyed probably by treasure hunters. Only the last statue is complete.

The second cave even smaller than the first lies just 2-3 meters away. Whatever the statues which had been at this cave has long disappeared.

Locating these caves is not easy. Although close to the main tourist route, no path or directions exist. To reach the temple travel along the main pilgrim path until the Badda Seema Malakaya lies right on your left. From here walk across the ruins path towards the Malakaya and you will come across this cave shrine just before reaching the Malakaya.

The smaller cave of of Kuda Gal Viharaya

Also See

Map of Kuda Gal Viharaya at the Ancient Capital of Polonnaruwa

Please click on the button below to load the Dynamic Google Map (ගූගල් සිතියම් පහලින්)

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The map above also shows other places of interest within a approximately 20 km radius of the current site. Click on any of the markers and the info box to take you to information of these sites

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Driving Directions to Polonnaruwa Sacred City

The modern town of Polonnaruwa is also known as New Town, and the other part of Polonnaruwa remains the royal ancient city of the Kingdom of Polonnaruwa.

Route from Colombo to Polonnaruwa Sacred City	Route from Kandy to Polonnaruwa Sacred City
Through: Central Highway – Kurunegala – Dambulla Distance from Colombo: 230 km Travel Time: 4.45 hours Driving Directions: See on Google map	Through : Maradankadawala – Habarana Distance: 103 km Travel Time: 2 hours Driving Directions: see on Google map
Route from Anuradhapura to Polonnaruwa Sacred City	Route from Batticaloa to Polonnaruwa Sacred City
Through : Maradankadawala – Habarana Distance: 103 km Travel Time: 2 hours Driving Directions: See on Google map	Through : Maradankadawala – Habarana Distance: 103 km Travel Time : 2 hours Driving Directions: see on Google map

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Also See

Map of Kuda Gal Viharaya at the Ancient Capital of Polonnaruwa

Driving Directions to Polonnaruwa Sacred City

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