Polonnaruwa was the second capital of Sri Lanka after the destruction of Anuradhapura in 993 by the South Indian Cholas who strategically moved to Polonnaruwa to establish their rule. King Vijayabahu 1 who defeated the Chola invaders in 1070 continued to rule the united country from the city of Polonnaruwa.
Even though the capital remained for some 150 years in comparison with 1400 year Anuradhapura period, it comprises the monumental ruins of the megalomaniac sovereign of Parakrambahu 1 and two other kings. The ruins of Siva temples symbolize the influence of South Indian Chola dynasty. UNESCO inscribed Polonnaruwa as the first World Heritage Site in Sri Lanka in 1981 due to its unmatched archeological value.
The ruins of the wonderful garden-city are one of the most astonishing urban creations of King Parakramabahu 1, in terms unusual dimensions and very special relationship with the natural setting. Gal Vihara (Rock Monastery) is the most celebrated site in Polonnaruwa with its gigantic rock-sculptures which may be placed among the chefs-d’oeuvre of Sinhalese art. It consists of four separate images, all cut from one long slab of granite. The visitors linger most at this site due to unbelievable beauty and serene of the Buddha images as well as the forested environment in the surroundings. Among other monuments are the Lankatilaka, an enormous brick structure which has preserved a colossal image of Buddha; ; the Tivanka Pilimage, where wall paintings of the 13th century illustrate the jataka (narratives of the previous lives of Buddha).
The Quadrangle is another special feature that houses 12 fascinating ruins of buildings within a raised-up area bounded by a wall. Among them are Vatadage- the circular relic house that is believed to have been built to hold the Buddha’s Tooth Relic, the symbol of kingship. Latha Mandapaya is a unique structure which consists of a latticed stone fence which is not straight bur curved in three places which are not found any other ancient sites in the country. It is said that the King Nissanka Malla (1187- 1196 AD) sat within this enclosure to listen to chanted Buddhists texts. Gal Pota (Stone Book) It measures nearly 9m long by 1.5mwide, and from 40cm 66cm thick. The inscription on it is considered to be the longest stone inscription in Sri Lanka containing various edicts issued by the king.
The hydraulic civilization in Sri Lanka which began in the Anuradhapura period, reached its peak during the reign of King Parakramabahu 1,(1153-1186) with his crowning achievement of 2500 hectare Parakrama Reservoir ( Sea of Parakrama). . This is a tank so vast that it is often mistaken for the ocean. Hence, irrigation systems far superior to those of the Anuradhapura Age were constructed in Polonnaruwa during Parakramabahu’s reign. These systems to this day supply the water necessary for cultivation during the scorching dry season. Polonnaruwa is located in the eastern corner of the cultural triangle.
