Sri Lanka’s Ancient Capital of
Polonnaruwa
Polonnaruwa, Sri Lanka’s medieval capital from11th to 12th Century AD, lies 216 km northeast of Colombo. It is a well-preserved city of ancient dagobas (Buddhist temples), moonstones, beautiful parks, massive buildings and stunningly beautiful statues. The majestic King’s Council Chamber, the Lotus Bath, the rock temple and the statue of one of Polonnaruwa’s great kings, Parakramabahu, are a few of this capital’s memorable sights.
The ancient city was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1982.
Although it is nearly 1000 years old, it is much younger than Anuradhapura, the other ancient capital, and in much better repair. Moreover, the monuments here are located in a more compact area, and their development is easier to follow.
South Indian Chola invaders were the first to make Polonnaruwa their stronghold after ransacking Anuradhapura in 993 AD. King Vijayabahu I recaptured the throne for the Singhalese in 1073 and became the first to rule from the new capital Polonnaruwa, in a succession spanning 153 years.
Vijayabahu
did much to develop religion and irrigation, but it was Parakramabahu I
reigning from 1153-86 who raised Polonnaruwa to its glorious heights in a
grand renaissance of art and architecture, which produced the most
beautiful statues and carvings in the country.
Parakramabahu built huge structures and laid out beautiful parks and gardens. His monumental feats include the construction of the Parakrama Samudra, a vast reservoir covering 6000 acres next to the city. Nissanka Malla, who contributed many ornate buildings to the city, succeeded him.
After about a century of efforts to hold back invaders, Polonnaruwa was finally abandoned to the jungles during the 13th Century. Polonnaruwa has an old town and new town, and most of the ruins begin at the north edge of the old town. The ruins are divided into five groups. The first is a small group that has structures dating from the period of Nissanka Malla’s reign, and includes royal baths and the King’s Council chamber.
The
palace group of buildings dates back to Parakramabahu I’s reign and
includes the magnificent royal palace, which is said to have been seven
storeys high, the audience hall with an amazing frieze of elephants, and
the Prince’s bathing pool, which still has one of the crocodile mouth
spouts.
The quadrangle group includes the circular
relic house, a massive stone slab representing an Ola leaf and several
astonishing temples of Buddhist and Hindu influence and style.
The
northern group has the Tivanka Image House, the Lotus Pond, a massive
monastic convocation hall and many temples. You’ll find a library dagoba
called Potugal Vihara and an unusually life-like statue of the Buddha in
the southern group.
The museum, which is near the rest houses, is open from 8am to 5pm daily.
The new town is a recent settlement away from the ancient city. You can find plenty of good accommodation in the new and old town. Buses and trains travel daily between Colombo and Polonnaruwa, and you can also get to Anuradhapura, Kandy, Dambulla and Trincomalee from here. The best way to travel around Polonnaruwa itself is by hired bicycle or car.