Polonnaruwa District Information and Tourist Attractions

Last Updated: September, 2016

Polonnaruwa District Polonnaruwa is one of the most historically important district in Sri lanka. This was Sri Lankas second capital city after fall of Anuradhapura. The great king King Vijayaba 1, who ruled Sri Lanka during 1055 AD to 1110 AD, was the first native ruler of this kingdom. He defeated and chased away Chola invaders and united the whole country.

Still there are large number of ancient ruins, which belongs to Polonnaruwa kingdom can be found throughout this area. Due to those archeological treasures, Polonnaruwa old city was named as a world heritage site by UNESCO in year 1982. Large number of local and foreign tourists visits this place daily.

Polonnaruwa belonging to North central district of Sri Lanka. This is mainly an agriculture based district. You can see cascading paddy fields and well plan irrigation network in this area. Since Polonnaruwa is located in dry zone of Sri Lanka, ancient kings have constructed large number of tanks, which collects rain water for dry season usage. Still those tanks and canal networks provides water supply for the irrigation purposes and human use.

Raja Sabhawa of King Parakramabahu

Raja Sabhawa of King Parakramabahu

This is the Council Chamber ( Raja Sabahawa) of king Parakaramabahu the Great( 1153 -1186 AD)

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Galpotha

Galpotha

This largest stone inscription found next to the Sath Mahal Prasada, and consists of three main sections.

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Gal Viharaya

Gal Viharaya

Polonnaruwa Gal Viharaya ( Uththararamaya) is one of the main attraction in Polonnaruwa.
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Nisshanka Latha Mandapaya

Nisshanka Latha Mandapaya

Nisshanka Latha Mandapaya is located in the Polonnaruwa Dalada Maluwa, where the Tooth Relic of Load Buddha was located in Polonnaruwa period.
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Pothgul Viharaya

Pothgul Viharaya

This is the oldest library complex found in Sri Lanaka. Pothgul means for place to store books.

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Polonnaruwa Rankoth Vehera

Polonnaruwa Rankoth Vehera

Rankoth Vehera (Golden Pinnacle Dagoba)was constructed by the king Nishanka Malla(1187 AD to 1196 AD).
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Thuparama Image House

Thuparama Image House

huparama Pilimage is another Gedige type image house surviving from Polonnaruwa era.
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Vatadageya

Vatadageya



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Minneriya National Park

Minneriya National Park


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Medirigiriya Watadageya

Medirigiriya Watadageya

Medirigiriya was functioning as a Buddhist monastery even from 3rd century B.C.
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Lotus Pond

Lotus Pond

Lotus pond (Nelum Pokuna) got its name due to the design
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Thivanka Pilimageya

Thivanka Pilimageya

Thivanka image House is another Gedige type Viharya
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