The historical background of Polonnaruwa

                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.

                                               

                                    Lanka Tilaka Viharaya

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.