Ancient Kingdom of Polonnaruwa

RATE THIS LOCATION : 1 Star

(14 votes, average: 3.71 out of 5)

The Birth of Polonnaruwa

The origins of Polonnaruwa trace back to the 6th century BCE, when a minister of King Vijaya—the legendary founder of the Sinhalese people—established a settlement called Vijitha Grama in what is now Kaduruwela. This region would later gain fame as the site of the Battle of Vijithapura, where the great King Dutugemunu (161–131 BCE) defeated the Tamil ruler Elara in his quest to reunify the island under a single Sinhalese crown. Over time, the area flourished as an important agricultural hub, enriched by vast irrigation reservoirs and sophisticated waterways constructed by successive Anuradhapura kings.

The rise of Polonnaruwa as a royal seat was no accident. Even during the Anuradhapura era, rulers often turned to this strategically located region whenever the capital came under threat. Its fertile plains and natural defenses made it a natural choice for future expansion.

For over 15 centuries, Anuradhapura remained Sri Lanka’s first and greatest capital. However, in 993 CE, King Mahinda V was captured by the South Indian Chola invaders, taken prisoner to India, and never returned. The Cholas ravaged Anuradhapura, abandoning it as their seat of power and shifting their capital to Polonnaruwa in 1017, renaming it Jananathapuram. Their oppressive rule forced many Sinhalese to flee south, away from their control.

Following the death of King Mahinda in captivity in 1029, a resistance movement gradually gathered momentum in the south. Though an early attempt led by one of Mahinda’s sons failed, the struggle continued. Finally, in 1070, Prince Keerthi launched a decisive attack, defeating the Chola forces who had ruled the region for nearly 75 years. Ascending the throne as King Vijayabahu I, he first held his consecration in Anuradhapura but established Polonnaruwa as his capital, marking the dawn of a new era in Sri Lankan history.

Polonnaruwa Ancient Ruins – Opening Hours

Description	Details
Open Days	Monday – Sunday
Monday – Sunday	7.00 AM – 5.00 PM

Polonnaruwa Ancient Ruins – Ticket Prices / Entrance Fees

Description	Price per Head
Foreign – Adult – Ticket include access to the Archaeology Museum of Polonnaruwa	USD 30.00
Foreign – Children (3-12 Years) – Ticket include access to the Archaeology Museum of Polonnaruwa	USD 15.00
Foreign (SAARC) – Adult – Ticket include access to the Archaeology Museum of Polonnaruwa	USD 15.00
Foreign (SAARC) – Children (3-12 Years) – Ticket include access to the Archaeology Museum of Polonnaruwa	USD 15.00
Local – Adult	Free
Local – Children (3-12 Years)	Free

Map of Ancient Kingdom of Polonnaruwa

Click on the button below to load the Dynamic Google Map

Show Location on Google Maps

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

Zoom out the map to see more surrounding locations using the mouse scroll wheel or map controls.

Driving Directions to Ancient Kingdom of Polonnaruwa

The modern town of Polonnaruwa is also known as New Town, and the other part of Polonnaruwa remains the ancient royal 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: 5 hours Driving Directions: See on Google Maps.	Through: Maradankadawala–Habarana Distance: 103 km Travel Time: 2 hours Driving Directions: see on Google Maps.
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 Maps.	Through: Maradankadawala–Habarana Distance: 103 km Travel Time : 2 hours Driving Directions: see on Google Maps.

Map of Kingdom of Polonnaruwa

Places of Interest in the Kingdom of Polonnaruwa ( view in alphabetical order )

Other Historical Sites around Ancient Kingdom of Polonnaruwa

Other Sites in and Around Ancient Kingdom of Polonnaruwa

A Chronological Llist of Rulers in Ancient Kingdom of Polonnaruwa [For a full list click here]

“Chola” Invaders	South Indian invaders	1017-1070
Vijayabahu I	(Mahalu Vijaya Bahu: Pujavaliya, Rajavaliya)	1070-1110
Jayabahu I	Younger brother of Vijayabahu I	1110-1111
Wickramabahu I	Son of Vijayabahu I	1111-1132
Gajabahu II		1132-1159
Parakramabahu I	The father of Parakramabahu, Manabharana, was the son of Mitta, who was the sister of Vijayabahu. The mother of Parakramabahu was Rathnavali, who was a daughter of Vijayabahu. It was during his period that Queen Sugala Devi, the last monarch of the Kingdom of Ruhuna fought for its freedom which Parakramabahu brutally crushed. (Mahalu Parakramabahu: Pujavaliya)	1153-1186
Vijayabahu II	Son of Parakramabahu’s sister. (Pandita Vijaya Bahu: Pujavaliya)	1186-1187
Nissanka Malla	Came from the Kalinga kingdom in India. (Kirti Nissanka: Rajavaliya)	1187-1196
Virabahu	Son of Nissanka Malla. Ruled only for 1 day. Was killed by a general due to him been ‘unequal birth’ being a son of one of the many princesses brought from foreign lands who were not quite equal in ranks	1196
Wickramabahu II	Younger brother of Nissanka Malla. After murdering Virabahu, the throne was handed to Wickramabahu with no opposition from the Kalinga Family. Ruled only for 3 months before being murdered by Choda Ganga	1196
Choda Ganga	A nephew of Nissanka Malla. Ruled only for 9 months before being killed by a General named Senevirat	1196-1197
Queen Leelavathi	Main wife of Parakramabahu I. She was placed at the throne by General Senevirat (Kitti)	1197-1200
Sahasa Malla	A half-brother of Nissanka Malla (inscription) who came from the Kalinga kingdom in India, supported by General Ayasmanta (same general Senevirat?)	1200-1202
Queen Kalyanavathi	Second wife of Nissanka Malla. Supported by General Ayasmanta, who deposed Sahasa Malla	1202-1208
Dharmashoka	Was made the king at the age of three months. Supported by General Ayasmanta, who deposed Queen Kalyanavathi	1208-1209
Anikanga Mahadipada	Came with a Cola army and killed Dharmashoka and General Ayasmanta. Pujavaliya states Dharmashoka was Anikanga’s son. Ruled the country for 17 days (Eniyanga: Rajavaliya)	1209
Queen Leelavathi (restored)	Anikanga was assassinated by General Vikkantacamunakka of the Polonnaruwa Army and placed Queen Leelavathi from the Pandyan Dynasty on the throne for the 2nd time.	1209-1210
Lokeshwara	An invader from the Kalinga Dynasty in India. He ruled only for 9 months according to Culavamsa, 5 months according to Pujavaliya and 3 years according to Rajavaliya.	1210-1211
Queen Leelavathi (restored)	Lokeshwara was dethroned by a General called Parakrama, and Queen Leelavathi was placed on the throne for the 3rd time. She ruled only for 7 months this time	1211-1212
Parakramabahu Pandu	An invader from the Pandyan kingdom in India who deposed the Queen and General Parakrama	1212-1215
Magha	An invader from the Kalinga kingdom in India. Deposed Parakramabahu Pandu. His 24,000-strong army looted, plundered, and sacked Rajarattha on an unprecedented scale.	1215-1236