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Menik Vehera Aramaic complex of the Polonnaruwa Kingdom is believed to have been built in the 8th century. There are indications that some additions to this complex have been made at later stages. The original name of the stupa has been lost in time but this is considered the oldest Stupa in this area.
This rather small Stupa is built on an unusually high platform with stone steps leading to the top of it. The platform is surrounded by a brick wall. The massive Door Frame carved from stone is finely carved with multiple layers of groves.
The complex has two image houses, one closest to the stupa has three standing Buddha images and one in a seating position. The other image house smaller in size has only one rock-carved Buddha statue.
Recent excavations on this complex have discovered a hospital and a large number of buildings where bhikkus (priests) resided.
The guard stones at the Menik Vehera is also unique. Generally, on the side of the guard stone, you can find a carving of a bull. But on the guard stones at the entrance of the Menik Vehera, this bull has been replaced by an elephant. Some authors have identified the parts of the circular wall around the platform as a Stupaghara (Maldeniya, 2016).
References
- Maldeniya, S.G. (2016) පොලොන්නරුව පැරණි ස්මාරකයන්හි චිත්රගත සැරසිලි මෝස්තර . Kadawatha, Sri Lanka: Sarath Gnanasiri Maldeniya.
Also See
Map of Menik Vehera at Ancient Capital of Polonnaruwa
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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 : Matale – Dambulla – Habarana Distance : 140 km Travel Time : 3.5 hours Driving Directions : see on Google maps |
| Route from Anuradhapura to Polonnaruwa Sacred City | Route from Batticaloa to Polonnaruwa Sacred City |
| Though : Maradankadawala – Habarana Distance : 103 km Travel Time : 2 hours Driving Directions : see on Google map | Though : Chenkaladi – Valachchena Distance : 97 km Travel Time : 2 hours Driving Directions : see on Google map |