The historical background of Polonnaruwa
Polonnaruwa was considered as the second capital city of Sri Lanka. Polonnaruwa
was first considered as a capital by Solinne in 985 BC. The first king was King
Raja raja. This ruling system exists nearly 70 years. Before capturing of
solline Polonnaruwa was a developing city of the country. The main reason for developing
this city was that it had fertilized land that is suitable for cultivation. The
water from Mahawali River and the lakes that had been built by the ancient
kings made it easy for cultivation. Later on the kings of Anuradapura selected
Polonnaruwa as a capital city because of its economical and political
advantages. King Vijayabahu in 1055-1110 BC started to build this city as a
capital and later on the developing was carried by Parakramabahu the great. He does a great
attempt to develop the city as economically, culturally and politically develop
area. But later on due to the week ruling system that exists make the kingdom
to lose. This chance was taken by the King Kalinga and destroyed the city.
After the invasion of the British to the country make the developing of the
monuments and the religious places of the kingdom. Now the development is
carried by the Central cultural fund of Sri Lanka.
Potugal Viharaya
This viharaya was
built by the Parakramabahu the great
The vihara was build up of four floors on take round shape and the four small
Stupas at the four corners. There has evidence that there had been many
scriptures and paintings in the walls of the viharaya. The squared shaped
building is considered as a monastery for monks.
Library
Shrine
The height of this shrine is about 11
feet and 6 inches in height. Historian
was not able to find out what this shrine denotes to. Most considered this
shrine as the king Parakramabahu. There are different ideas relating to the
thing that holds in the hand of this sage. It also said that he carries a palm
leaf manuscript represent the York of kingship.
Parakramabahu Samudra
This is a creation of the King Parakramabahu. It is not just
a one lake it is a complex of lakes that formed together. It is said to be the
sea of the land because we can see the waves coming to the bank as a sea shore.
The complex lakes that connected to this are Topa wewa, Aramadu wawe, Dubutulu
wewa, Kalahagala wewe and Boo wewa. The main water supply was done by the Yoda
Ala. The length of this stream is about 8and half milesand the depth of it is
about 25feet. The land area that covered by this Ala is about 5250 acres. The
main reason for building this lake was to provide water to the agricultural
area that exists around it.
Deepa
Garden
The highland near the guest house is the Deepa Garden .It is said that this
place that king Parakramabahu enjoyed himself. There many buildings that had built
around it. The Nissankamalla palace, pond to bath is some of them.
Council chamber of Nissankamalla
The length of this chamber is about 133feet and the width is about 33 feet.
The chamber had 14 rock pillars and it can be seen that there had been many
paintings and carvings on the walls. The respective seats of the council
officers are arranged in order. The seat for the king is represents by the
massive lion figure.
The palace of King Parakramabahu
This palace is said to be build of 7 stories. It is still can be seen three
stories. The front is covered by a large floor. In Mahavamsa said that there
had been 1000 rooms in this building. It consists of large stories, separate
dining rooms, queen chambers, official’s quarters, kitchens, parks and baths. Still we can see that there 55 rooms. We can
see that the walls are thicker and there evidence from the molten rocks in the
area that the palace was burned.
Royal chamber of Parakumba
Parakumba royal
chamber is the place where that the officials meet in discussions. It is about
25feet length and 33 in width. This chamber had three stories. The first floor
has a curving of a elephant and the second floor has a curving of lion and
third floor had pictures of devils. The 12 rock pillars that had reached to the
third floor had curving. The entrance designed by the moonstone and a Korawak
gala.
Kumara Pokuna
Kumara pond is situated in the east of Nandana Uyana. The inner part is
designed by the rock carvings. The water is supplied by the faces of Devil
carvings that is made as a pipe to the pond. The unclean pure water is existed
from the small sluice gate at the end corner.
Siva Devale
It is considered that this building was build according to the architecture of
the Pandayans. It is considered that this was built by the Sollians in their
time of ruling.
This Devala had been sacrificed for the God of Siva.
Dalada Maluwa (Watadage)
This is a house that
has round shape and has two floors. There is a beautiful staircase at the
entrance and the door step is curved by the moonstone, Mura gala and Korawak
gala. In the second floor there are two Buddha statues that is directed to the
four directions. The most beautiful Mragala can be found in Watadage eastern
entrance.
Thuparamaya
The type of architecture is Gadige type. This viharaya was
the only viharaya that was not damaged still today. The entrance was shaped as
a horse shoe. The walls were thick and the light is received through the two
windows that face the east. Evidence has found that there had been a Samadi
Buddha statue on the brick paving in the vihara.
Atadagaya
This is the first palace build by the king Wijayabahu. The upper floor was made
to store the tooth relic of the Buddha. And evidence had found that the lower
floor has a Buddha statue. The rock pillars at the front of the viharaya had
beautiful carvings. Moonstone that belongs to the Anuradapura period can be
seen. The writing on the stone walls said that the Vellakara soldiers had the
security of the Tooth relic.
Hadadagaya
King Nissankamalla built this palace to keep the tooth relic
of the Buddha. As the ather the tooth relic was stored in the upper floor. The
lower part of the building was a Buddha statue.
Galpottha
This was building made by the king Nissankamalla. This is considered as the
largest records of the Sri Lankan history y. The weight of this rock is about 25
tones. We can see a line of swans from left to right of the rock. It said the
content that included in this are about King Nissankamalla and his functions.
Sathmahal Prasada
This is a stupa that is made unusually .It take the shape of pyramid. It consists
of seven floors that have four doors directing to the four directions. Evidence
has found that this type of buildings had been found in Siam and Cambodia. The person
that builds this cannot be found but historians believe that this is one of the
places that are made by foreign soldiers that had made as place for worship.
Pabalu Devale
During excavations in this site it is found that there were pearls deposited
in this site. It is said that the King Parakumba’s wife had made this during
her period of ruling. There is a special staircase to get to the floor. The
moonstone Korawak gal and Muragala can be seen in this Stupa.
Rankoth Vehara
This was made by King Nissankamalla The Stupta is about 180 feet in height
and the circumference is about 550feet. This is last Dagaba which was built up
by Sinhalese kings. This was named as Ruwanvalisaya. This has four doors in
four corners and also statue houses. The path was made by staircase and an
entrance.
The Hospital
During excavations a hospital was found that had been build for the purpose of
providing medical treatments for monks. Evidence has found that there had been
gardens to to grow medical plants and also during excavations it is found that
many instruments that is used for medical treatments had been found. During
excavation they had found many balances, containers for storing medicine, and
instruments that is used for surgeries. All these instruments are stored in the
Polonnaruwa museum.
Baddhaseema Prasadaya.
This has been the
University of the Period of King Parakumba. According to the Mahavamsa it is
said that this building had 12 floors. The rooms were made in order there are
many evidence that there had been a proper drainage system. The lower part of
the building was been the place that is used for the sermons and teachings. It
is found that only monks are taught in this area.
This the largest statue house that built by the King Parakumba. This building
was build according to the Gedige type. The building was made with bricks and
the height is about 53 feet and the height of the statue is about 42feet. There
is small staircase to climb the top floor. The walls were designed by Vimana
drawings.
Kiri Vehera
According to the historical evidence that this was built as a memorial of his
queen Subadra.
It had shined white so it was named as Kiri Vehera. The height is about 88feet
and the diameter is about 88 feet. There are four entrances for four
directions. This is the first stupa that has the painting that had done in
ancient times.
Gal Viharaya
This one of the exciting creation that can be seen in in Polnnarwa period. The
carvings are done on rocks. Three statues of Buddha can be seen in this
viharaya. There is a small Samadi statue that is about 4feet and 7 inches. It is
said that the statue is covered by gold. There is also a standing Buddha statue
that is about 23 feet in height. The sleeping statue is about 46 in length
Lotus pond
This pond was made for the monks of the Jathawanaramaya. It takes the shape of
a lotus flower when water is filled. The petals of the lotus flower were made
by rocks. Ti is said that there had been seven ponds of this type.
Tiwanka
statue house
According to
the Mahavamsa it is said that this building was built by king Parakramabahu.
This building was build according to the Gedige type of building method. There
have been two floors and a statue can be found. The walls were decorated by
different carvings and also the pictures of Gods.
