A HISTORIC JOURNEY FROM SIGIRIYA

Polonnaruwa

In the Footsteps of Kings

Polonnaruwa, Sri Lanka’s second most ancient kingdom after Anuradhapura, exudes a timeless charm perfect for couples seeking a romantic escape. Following the destruction of Anuradhapura in 993 AD and the shifting of the capital by King Vijayabahu I, Polonnaruwa rose to prominence, becoming the capital under the reign of one of Sri Lanka’s most famous sovereigns, King Parakramabahu I. This ancient kingdom of Sri Lanka is a historical journey from Sigiriya, which saw a golden age, with flourishing agriculture, literacy, and incredible architectural and monumental irrigation works between 1070- 1232 A.D.

Highlights

The Royal Palace
The Sacred Quadrangle
Gal Viharaya
Parakrama Reservoir
The National Wildlife Parks of Minneriya and Kaudulla

Location and Best Times to Visit

This ancient city is 55 kilometres from Sigiriya, an hours car journey making it a must-do day trip for couples exploring the cultural triangle of Sri Lanka. The best times to visit Polonnaruwa are between January to March and July to August.

The ancient city of Polonnaruwa, which spans an impressive 122 hectares and extends five kilometres from north to south, is nestled next to the vast man-made Parakrama Samudra (The sea of Parakrama) reservoir, the pulse of Polonnaruwa.

The ancient city is an archaeological treasure trove adorned with temples, shrines, palaces, and ruins that tell tales of a flourishing ancient kingdom and city.

The most optimal time for us to visit is between June – August. Alternatively, January-March offers favourable conditions as well. Polonnaruwa experiences a dry period from May to September, with intermittent showers, possibly from June to August. With its rich heritage and proximity to iconic sites like Sigiriya and Dambulla and wildlife parks, this ancient kingdom promises an unforgettable experience for couples exploring Sri Lanka’s cultural heartland.

The Royal Palace of Parakrmabahu

The royal palace of King Parakramabahu I (1153 - 1186), with the remnants of its 50-room grandeur, is one of the tour's highlights. The regal lion sculptures and intricately carved stone elephants that guard the king’s audience hall offer a majestic ambience. The king’s swimming pool, where statues of crocodile mouths once spouted fresh water like a fountain into the pool, is a true work of art.

Shiva Devale No.2

Tucked away in a serene forest clearing, Shiva Devale No.2 is the oldest Hindu temple in Polonnaruwa. Believed to have been constructed by Chola invaders of India during the 10th century, this sacred sanctuary is one of the oldest surviving structures in Polonnaruwa.

During the Chola occupation from 1017 to 1070 CE, the landscape of Polonnaruwa was transformed by the establishment of numerous shrines dedicated to the Hindu Pantheon. As the capital of their administration, Polonnaruwa became a hub of religious fervour, with many of these shrines taking root within its hallowed grounds.

The Sacred Quadrangle

At the heart of Polonnaruwa lies ‘the Quadrangle,’ a sacred site where the relics of the Buddha’s tooth were once enshrined. Though the relic is now housed in the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic (Dalada Maligawa) in Kandy, the Quadrangle remains a testament to Polonnaruwa's historical and religious importance as the kingdom’s capital.

The Quadrangle gets its name from the quadrilateral shape formed by the surrounding walls of this ancient complex. Within these walls are religious and civil buildings constructed between the 11th and 13th centuries, including the Vatadage, Hatadage, Atadage, and Satmahal Prasada.

The Vatadage

The Vatadage temple, a standout structure within the Quadrangle, was built to house the Buddha’s tooth relic, which King Parakramabahu the Great brought to Polonnaruwa. This circular tower, 18 meters in diameter, is richly adorned with intricate relief carvings. The exterior walls feature friezes of lions, dwarves, and lotuses, symbolising various aspects of Buddhist life.

The temple’s four entrances, each guarded by detailed carvings of lions or large moonstones, offer a grand welcome. These moonstones, symbolising the life cycle in Buddhism, add a profound spiritual touch to the structure, enhancing its allure.

Hatadage

Opposite the illustrious Vatadage stands the Hatadage temple, a testament to devotion and craftsmanship built during the reign of Nissanka Malla in the 12th century. This temple was erected as a relic house for the Buddha’s sacred tooth relic.

Originally a two-story tower, part of the Hatadage still stands, preserving the legacy of its creators. Adorned with several walls and three magnificent granite Buddha statues, the temple exudes an aura of spiritual reverence.

As you approach the entrance, you'll be greeted by intricately carved moonstones, symbolising the sacred journey of life in Buddhism.

Atadage

Dating back to the 11th century, the Atadage stands as a venerable testament to the grandeur of Polonnaruwa during the reign of the kingdom’s founder, Vijayabahu the Great. This is one of the oldest structures in this ancient city.

Constructed with meticulous care and devotion, the Atadage's enduring stone columns and majestic doorway showcase the era’s architectural prowess. Amidst the remnants of time, a solemn sculpture of the Buddha remains a silent guardian of this sacred space.

Satmahal Prasada

Constructed sometime during the 12th century, the Satmahal Prasada stands as a remarkable testament to the architectural ingenuity of Polonnaruwa. While its exact origins remain shrouded in the mists of time, historians speculate that this magnificent structure likely arose during the reign of Parakramabahu the Great.

Akin to a step pyramid and rising to six floors, this brick marvel boasts a square floor plan that echoes the symmetry and precision of ancient craftsmanship. Each side of the Satmahal Prasada features an entrance, inviting travellers to venture into its hallowed chambers.

Gal Potha

A marvel carved from a single 25-tonne stone. This monumental book, adorned with inscriptions in Sinhalese script, serves as a timeless testament to the scholarly pursuits of ancient Sri Lanka.Witness centuries of knowledge and wisdom engraved as inscriptions.

Gal Viharaya

The Gal Vihara temple stands as a testament to devotion and artistry. Adorned with four imposing granite sculptures of Lord Buddha, it is one of Polonnaruwa's most visited and awe-inspiring monuments.

Among these monumental figures, one commands attention with its sheer scale and serene beauty. Stretching 45 feet in length, the reclining Buddha exudes an aura of tranquillity, embodying the ultimate attainment of Nirvana.

Flanked by two seated Buddhas, each in a posture of deep meditation, the Gal Vihara emanates an atmosphere of spiritual contemplation. Completing this sacred quartet stands the upright Buddha, arms crossed in a gesture symbolising his escape from worldly desires and attachment.

Pakrama Samudraya Reservoir

Amidst the timeless ruins of the ancient city of Polonnaruwa lies the Pakrama Samudraya reservoir, a testament to the visionary leadership of Parakramabahu constructed during the 12th century. This revered monarch's legacy is etched in the waters that nourish the land, marking Polonnaruwa's and ancient Lanka’s golden age of agricultural prosperity and self-sufficiency.

Even today, engineers are fascinated by this reservoir, a monumental feat of engineering and foresight. Alongside several other reservoirs constructed under his reign, it served as the region's lifeblood, irrigating the rice fields and sustaining the flourishing civilisation called Polonnaruwa home.

Spanning an impressive surface area of 22.6 square kilometres, the reservoir is not merely a single body of water but a network of interconnected reservoirs linked by intricate canals that weave through the landscape. Its sheer magnitude earned it the moniker "Samudhraya," a homage to its resemblance to the ocean's vastness.

Potgul Vihara, also called the Library Dagoba, stands as a distinctive architectural marvel in the southern region of ancient Polonnaruwa. This unique structure resembles a thick-walled, hollow dagoba, speculated to have served as a repository for sacred Buddhist texts. Its circular design resembles a gedige, with four smaller solid dagobas positioned around the central dome, creating the traditional Sinhalese quincunx arrangement. This arrangement forms a rectangle with one dagoba at each corner and one in the middle.

Tivanka Image House

Commissioned by King Parakramabahu, the name "Thivanka," meaning "three curves," pays homage to the unique curvature of the grand Buddha image housed within.

Like many structures of its time, the Thivanka Image House was constructed predominantly with bricks. It boasts a majestic Buddha statue, rising to a towering height of 26 feet. Though now partially damaged, with the upper section lost to time, the statue still commands awe and attention.

Beyond the threshold, you'll find yourself in a world of Buddhist storytelling and spiritual contemplation. The inner walls are adorned with exquisite frescoes depicting the Jataka Stories, illuminating the path of the Buddha's previous lives before enlightenment. Though time has weathered much of the masonry, traces of the colourful drawings are still visible.

Lankatilaka Image House

Standing on the southern grounds of Kiri Vehera, the Lankathilaka Image House is yet another testament to King Parakramabahu's reign in Polonnaruwa. Carved from a single block of stone, this monolithic structure exudes an aura of timeless beauty and spiritual reverence.

Crafted entirely from bricks, the Lankathilaka Image House boasts outer walls adorned with intricate designs and carvings. Within its sacred confines a towering Buddha statue, sculpted entirely from clay bricks, standing at a height of 41 feet. Though time has weathered its form, the statue remains a poignant reminder of the devotion and artistry of ancient Sri Lanka.

Rankot Viharaya

Rankoth Vehera, also known as the Golden Pinnacle Stupa, stands proudly as the fourth largest stupa in Sri Lanka, surpassed only by the grandeur of Ruwanveli Seya, Jetawanarama, and Abhayagiriya in Anuradhapura. Commissioned by King Nissanka Malla (1187-1196), this monumental structure reaches a towering height of 180 feet with a circumference of 185 metres, making it the largest stupa in Polonnaruwa.

Kiri Vihara

To the north of Lankathilaka Pilimage stands the imposing Kiri Vehera, built by Queen Subadra, a consort of King Parakramabahu. Originally named "Rupavathi Stupa," this grand monument is 80 feet high and is a cherished part of the Alahana Pirivena.

As the second largest stupa in present-day Polonnaruwa, Kiri Vehera commands reverence and admiration, second only to the majestic Rankoth Vehera, another jewel of the ancient Alahana Pirivena. Despite the passage of 900 years and the forces of nature, Kiri Vehera stands as a testament to resilience, retaining its original form and splendour.

Each year, devotees lovingly repaint this perfectly preserved dagoba before the Vesak Poya, a festival in May that celebrates Buddha’s birth, enlightenment, and nirvana.

Nissanka Latha Mandapaya

Constructed in the 1100s under the patronage of King Nissankamalla, the Nissanka Latha Mandapaya served as a recitation house for Buddhist monks chanting sacred stanzas (pirith). The Nissanka Latha Mandapaya's defining feature is its remarkable open-air design, adorned with intricately crafted pillars resembling blooming lotus flowers. Despite being destroyed during the 14th-century Chola invasions, the complex still retains captivating elements that bear witness to its former grandeur.

Explore the exotic bird life on this island in the middle of Parakrama Reservoir. Home to over 30 species of coloruful birds, including migratory varieties, this island offers a mesmerizing bird watching experience. Join a local fisherman as they take you on a village boat to enjoy the sights and sounds of the local nature. Combining the birdwatching expedition, enjoy an authentic lake fishing excursion. Learn the art of local lake fishing using traditional rods. The lake excursions are also a great way to marvel at the scenic landscape and local wildlife; you may even see elephants, monkeys, and deer that frequent the reservoir’s banks.

Minneriya Wildlife Park Safari

Just a short drive of 30 minutes from the heart of Polonnaruwa lies Minneriya National Park, offering couples a captivating wildlife experience. Renowned for its iconic 'Gathering' of elephants, this sprawling reserve spans 8,000 hectares and is a haven for endemic flora and fauna. Dating back to the 3rd century during the reign of King Mahasen, the park's centrepiece, the Minneriya Tank, serves as a lifeline for the diverse wildlife that calls this area home. The park is a biodiversity hotspot with 24 species of mammals, 160 species of birds, and an array of reptiles, fish, and butterflies. Visit between May and September to witness the awe-inspiring spectacle of hundreds of elephants congregating amidst lush greenery and vibrant floral displays.

Kaudulla National Park

Just under an hour’s drive from Polonnaruwa, Kaudulla National Park beckons adventurous couples seeking a more intimate safari experience away from the more crowded Minneriya Park.

The ideal time to explore Kaudulla National Park is from August to December when the elephant population swells to over 200. During the dry season in August and September, elephants migrate between Wasgamuwa National Park and Minneriya National Park, eventually finding refuge in the lush landscapes of Kaudulla.

Home to an impressive array of biodiversity, Kaudulla National Park boasts 24 species of mammals, 160 species of birds, nine species of amphibians, 25 species of reptiles, 26 species of fish, and 75 species of butterflies.

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Polonnaruwa

In the Footsteps of Kings

Location and Best Times to Visit

Our Favourites

The Royal Palace of Parakrmabahu

The Royal Palace of Parakrmabahu

Shiva Devale No.2

Shiva Devale No.2

The Sacred Quadrangle

The Sacred Quadrangle

The Vatadage

The Vatadage

Hatadage

Hatadage

Atadage

Atadage

Satmahal Prasada

Satmahal Prasada

Gal Potha

Gal Potha

Gal Viharaya

Gal Viharaya

Potgul Viharaya

Tivanka Image House

Tivanka Image House

Lankatilaka Image House

Lankatilaka Image House

Rankot Viharaya

Rankot Viharaya

Kiri Vihara

Kiri Vihara

Nissanka Latha Mandapaya

Nissanka Latha Mandapaya

Kokduwa Island Bird Watching and Lake Fishing

Minneriya Wildlife Park Safari

Minneriya Wildlife Park Safari

Kaudulla National Park

Kaudulla National Park