Polonnaruwa
Description
Polonnaruwa was the second capital of Sri Lanka after the destruction of Anuradhapura in 993. It comprises, besides the Brahmanic monuments built by the Cholas, the monumental ruins of the fabulous garden-city created by Parakramabahu I in the 12th century
Polonnaruwa Old Town is where the well preserved ruins of the ancient city of Polonnaruwa, a world heritage site, are located. The ruins are clustered over an extensive area which runs s about 4km from north to the south. Among the multitude of ruins, Citadel, Quadrangle, Gal Vihara (Sinhala: stone temple) and Lanktilaka, Gal Pota (Sinhala: stone book), The Menik and Rankoth vihara Buddhist shrines, Alahena Pirivena monastery, Lankatilaka (Sinhala: Ornament of Lanka), Kiri Vehera stupa, Tivanka-patamaghara image house Buddhist shrine, are must visit attractions.
To the west of the ancient city is inland-sea like Parakrama Samudra (Sinhala: sea of Parkramabahu) man-made lake built in the 13th century and rehabilitated in 1950s.
Polonnaruwa Museum is the ideal starting point in touring the ancient city of Polonnaruwa: the impressive presentation at the museum imparts a wealth of knowledge that would help come to grips with numerous ruins, preserved ruins, restored ruins and rehabilitated irrigation network that consists of man-made rainwater reservoirs and canals that distribute water to the agricultural district of Polonnaruwa.
