POLONNARUWA

Polonnaruwa the second capital of ancient Sri Lanka
is of utmost importance because of it's influence on the religious political and social life of the period and on the economy. The life style of the people of Sri Lanka has been greatly changed during this period and also the Plonnaruwa period is the linkage between the Anuradhapura and the present era.

There not enough remains to identify accurately the magnificence of art and architecture during the Anuradhapura period. But the glories of ancient Plonnaruwa have not yet been lost to the world and there are enough remains of ancient monuments to get an idea of it's former grandeur. So that the essential structural features of ancient Sinhala Buddhist edifices can still be identified.

Prof. Paranavithana says that almost all the basic characteristics of ancient Buddhist monuments can be seen at Polonnaruwa. However the architecture of Polonnaruwa has been affected by Mahayaana and Hindu influences, the technology and natural causes during later period. But there are enough remains in Polonnaruwa to study these changes clearly.

Prof. H. T. Basnayake

Archaeology and History Department

The University of Kelaniya

Kalaniya.

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Polonnaruwa was known by Pulasthinagara in Sanskrit and Pulusthipura in Pali. The Velaikkara inscription records Polonnaruwa as “Pulanari”. The eight century wall writing at Sigiriya reads it as Polonaru. The Sinhala root word “Pulanaru” appears to have been into usage as Polonnaru.

The city of Polonnaruwa is full of variety of graceful sceneries. This is the cecond capital as well as the second kingdom of Sri Lanka. Plonnaruwa is rich with sea like vast irrigation reservoirs and magnificent monuments reflecting wormanship in ancient Sinhala Buddhist culture. Apart from that Dastota, Kalingha Canal, Kalingha Peninsula, Angamadilla, Dimbulagala and Nagalakanda, Somawathi Chethiya are picturesque sites.

The ancient Buddhist edifices are wonderful creations full of meaning. They depict Buddhist concepts. So they helped to improve the spiritual evocation and piety of the people who lived in profound dedication to Buddhism. The ancient literature and histroy too served the same purpose.

The modern generation seems to have been not much interested in studying history and literature of this country. The aesthetic and artistic taste that our forefathers had can hardly be seen in them. Most of them are unaware of the unbroken record of our religious and cultural history for over twenty five centuries. So that for them these ancient monuments of our great civilization are jut sceneries.

Jayasingha Balasooriya

481/3C, Water Board Road,

Now Town, Polonnaruwa.

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Polonnaruva was known to have had human settlements,

long before Prince Vijaya landed on the shores of the island

According to the chronicle,Mahavansa that Lord Buddha seeing Thambapanni ( Sri Lanka) would be the place where pure Buddhism would be safeguarded, intrusted it to the god Sakra to provide protection to prince Vijaya and his men, who would land here on the date of Buddha's Parinirvana in 544 B.C. The god Sakra then assignedit to the god Upulwan. It was described how Kuveni (black coloured woman) met Vijaya and helped him to become King at Thambapanni, killing "Yakkhas" (an ancient tribesmen ) who gathered Sirisawathupura When Vijaya was crowned.

he had refused to accept Kuveni a as his queen and she was forced to go to her relations at Lankapura, where she was killed. It is believed that the tribe known as Pulinda was originated from the two children of Kuveni, who fled escaping death from their relations.

The significance of Polonnaruva.

Polonnaruva is situated between Rajarata and Rohana. It is 65 miles from Amuradhapura. River Mahaweli is situated by the ancient road between Anuradhapura and Rohana. Polonnaruwa can be reached by crossing River Mahaweli at Dasthota. The area had been quite suitable for paddy cultivation, because of the constructions of

Elahera channel by King Vasaba (67-111 A.D. )

Minneri and Kaudulla tanks by king Mahasen (274-301 A.D.)

Thopawewa by king Upatissa (365-405 A.D.) and the

Girithale tank by king Aggabodi (604-614A.D)

Apart from that Polonnaruva was the ideal place to counteract the enemy invasion from South India. It is very easy to reach Rohana or Malaya from Polonnaruva.

Cholians also selected Polonnaruva as their

capital, in order to face attacks from Sinhala Kings. They captured king Mahinda V, alive and reigned for 55 years. The chola King Rajendra built an empire from the Mount Vindya in India to Polonnaruva in Sri Lanka. Polonnaruva was renamed as Jayanathapuram, and the tax collected from some villages was sent for the maintenance of Rajeshwaram Devala at Tanjore in South India.

King Vijayabahu (1055-1110 A.D.) was the hero who recaptured Rajarata from Chola administration. King Parakramabahu the Great was the greatest ruler (1153-1186 A.D.) of Polonnaruwa. King Nissankamala (1187-1196A.D)was another inherited king among the rulers after him. The era of prosperity was ended after him. Provincial Kings couldn't safeguard the power of their areas.

Struggles arose among the heirs to the throne. The economy was crippled. Divisional leaders fought against one another. Foreign threats arose. In this background Polonnaruva was captured by Kalinga Maga in 1215 A.D.

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Kings of Polonnaruva.

Vijayabahu I (Vijayaba) 1055 - 1110
Jayabahu 1110 - 1111
Wikramabahu 1111 - 1132
Gajabahu 1132 - 1152
Parakramabahu (The Great) 1153 - 1186
Vijayabahu II 1186 - 1187
Nissankamalla 1187 - 1196
Wicramabahu 1196 -
Chodaganga 1196 - 1197
Leelawathi queen (queen of Parakramabahu) 1197 - 1200
Sahassamalla 1200 - 1202
Kalyanawathi (queen of Nissankamalla) 1202 - 1208
Dharmashoka 1208 - 1209
Anikanga Mahadipada 1209 -
Queen Leelawathi 1209 - 1210
Lokeshwara 1210 - 1211
Queen Leelawathi 1211 - 1212
Parakrama Pandu 1212 - 1215
Kalinga Magha (Kalinga Vijayabahu) 1215 - 1236

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Polonnaruwa Site Map

The archaeological museum and information centre

The survival of enough ruins of the magnificient civilization of ancient Polonnaruva is of the unmost importance in identifying the art and architecture of Anuradhapura period. significance of Polonnaruva museum is that it introduces the linkage between Anuradapura and Polonnaruva periods.

The museum consists of seven exhibition units illustrated with relevant maps, drawings and photographs as well as epigraphic materials. These units constitute the auditorium, the introduction to the ancient city, the citadel, outer city, monastic establishments, peripheral establishments and the Hindu monuments.

The display of unique discoveries of artifacts such as Buddhist and Hindu sculptures (stone and bronze), medical and medical and surgical equipments, weapons of defense, agricultural tools, etc...., and the replicas of ancient monuments and edifices have been arranged in such a way to give a deep understanding to the visitors about our prestigious history. Among them the replica of Vatadage is of exceptional attraction. Other outstanding displays in the museum are the Panakaduwa copper plate charter which describes the untiring effort made by king Vijayabahu in unifying the country and the striking sculpture of the emaciated female saint Karaikkal Ammayyar.

The Polonnaruva musum would no doubt benefit the cultural, religious and educational institutions as well as to promote the conservation activities of monuments for the furure generation.

It would be better for the visitors to come to the museum first where they will have a complete preview of the whole site prior to proceeding to the field.

Tickets for Polonnaruwa

First Prime Minister of sri lanka - Statue

Parakkrama Samudraya

Potgul Vihara

Library Monastery

The ancient name of this edifice has not been established. It is said to have been built by Parakramabahu. Some believe that this could be the Kapila Shrine mentioned in the chronicle.

The Pali inscription records,

" This monastery was originally built by king Parakramabahu and later it was repaired and rebuilt by his intelligent queen( Chandrawathi ) "

If it was a perfect shrine there would have been a Bo-Tree, a shrine and a temple. When looking at the monk's cells around the main edifice, one can assume that this could be a monastic centre. There are two pavilions. On the upper pavilion there is a rotunda. The roof is in the form of a dome. The elegaint door post at the entrance is an uncommon creation. The four comers of the terrace support four small stupas.

Potgul means a library but this cannot be a library because, windows or other means of providing light for reading is not found there. The sight planning , the inscription, the nature of the door post and the signs of paintings suggest that this could be an ancient image shrine.