Parakrama Samudra: Literally meaning the Sea of King Parakramabahu’ this vast reservoir constructed by a king obsessed with irrigation is almost 6000 acres in size and even today its waters are responsible for sustaining some 18000 acres of paddy farming.
Palace and Royal Pavillion: King Parakramabahu’s palace is today left with only three of its original seven storeys. The extraordinarily thick walls have large holes where giant beams supporting the ceiling were inserted. The remnants of a drainage system and the stub of a staircase point to the palace’s past glories. The Royal Pavillion across is embellished with beautiful rock sculptures such as the lion portals, a five legged elephant and the delicate moonstone, a semi circu- lar stepping stone found at the entrance to important buildings. Further is the Kumara Pokuna or the Royal Bath, a stepped tank with crocodile spouts fed by the Parakrama Samudra.
Sangadhikaranayaka: A post where errant monks were detained after trial, before defrocking and banishment to a life of agriculture.
Satmahal Prasada: A dagoba in the shape of a square pyramid with seven storeys. Each side of each storey is adorned with a carved figure of a deity. The Burmese influence in the building is apparent.
Hatadage: The Shrine of Sixty Relics, once enshrined the Buddha’s Tooth Relic. Built by King Nissankamalla, it’s columns and walls bear faintly incised carvings, including that of bulls at the entrance.
Gal Potha: A stone slab, 27 feet long, 5 feet wide and 2 feet thick inscribed with a eulogy of King Nissankamalla’s achievements.
Atadage: A building ascribed to King Vijaybahu. It also hosted the Tooth Relic of The Buddha at one time.
Thuparama: This is a brick building containing nine statues of The Buddha. Made of quartz with a component of mica, they shine when light is thrown on them. The structure has ornamented facades with beautifully executed animal friezes and is the only one whose original roof is still intact.
Vatadage: The circular relic house thought to pre date the establishment of the capital. The building can be entered from four stairways aligned with compass points, each leading up to a statue of The Buddha. Moonstones, guard stones and sculpted writings embellish this grand piece of architecture.
Shiva Devale 1: A 12th century temple dedicated to Shiva, the Hindu god of Destruction.
Shiva Devale 2: Another Shiva temple dating to the 11th century and the oldest identifiable building in Polonnaruwa.
Nissanka Lata Mandapaya: A pavillion with a floral stone altar and pillars made to resemble a lotus on a stalk.
Rankot Vihara: Polonnaruwa’s largest dagoba, credited to Nissankamalla. It is 125 feet high and has agirth of 550 feet. Literally meaning ‘The Finial of Gold’ it is located near theremains of the Alahana Pirivena (university) and the Royal Burial Grounds.
Kin Vihara (Milk Dagoba): Named so after its milk white exterior, this is the best preserved of Sri Lanka’s unrestored dagobas.
Lankatileke: An image house dating to the 12th century, it once enjoyed the reputation of being one the most magnificent Buddhist shrines in Asia. Inside is a massive but head- less statue of The Buddha.
Gal Vihara: These are perhaps the most impressive of the Polonnaruwa sculptures. Chiselled out on a granite rock face are the images of Ananda, standing with arms folded and one leg bent, a Reclining Buddha, a seated Buddha and a smaller Buddha with attendants in a cave. Original frescoes are still visible on the left hand side.
Demala Maha Seya: A stupa built by Tamil prisoner of war labour. The unique design consists of the dome rising from a terraced moulded base and left unfinished at a height of 50 ft from the ground.
Lotus Bath: A rock cut pool symbolizing a lotus constructed in the reign of Nissankamalla.
Tivanka Image House: The largest brick built shrine in Polannaruwa houses a huge Buddha shrine in a thrice curved pose. The frescoes on the walls have almost faded.
King Parakrambahu’s Statue: The bearded image cut out of rock, holding what appears to be a yoke is thought to be king Parakrambahu’s. This towering figure is on the southern side of the Parakrama Samudra.
Potgul Vihara: In the same compound, a royal garden of days gone by, is this circular brick shrine.
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