Polonnaruwa Things to Do

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This is a group of four Buddha statues carved out of a granite cliff-face. My favourite was the 14 metre reclining Buddha. There is also a 7 metre tall standing Buddha and two others showing the Buddha in a seated position.

I found the statues to be fascinating and the area to be both spiritual & relaxing. The only negative is the metal roof structure covering them. This keeps them in the shade and prevented a clear sharp photograph. There is also a protective screen in front of one of the seated Buddha statues.

Dominating the Quadrangle is the Vadatage. This decorated circular shrine was built by Parakramabahu and later embellished by Nissanka Malla.

Its outer walls are covered with carvings of lions, dwarfs and lotuses. Each of the four entrances have moonstones & guardstones, these have images of king cobra fgures on them. The steps lead up to the central dagoba which is guarded by four Buddha statues.

The stone is 9m long and 1.5m wide, and up to 66cm thick. It's a representation of an ola book and is covered in inscriptions praising King Nissanka Malla. Inscriptions also show that the stone was dragged here all the way from Mihintale, a distance of 100 km.

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Galvehera is one of the most famous sites in Sri Lanka. It consists of three figures of Lord Buddha carved out of a cliff of granite. The first figure is a sitting Buddha with an artificial cavern cut out of the rock. The other two are an upright Buddha and a reclining Buddha. The reclining Buddha is 14 m in length. See more pics for other Buddha.

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The Royal Palace of King Parakramabahu I was built in the 11th Century and the massive brick walls of the main hall stand amidst the ruins of about 40 inter-connecting rooms. The palace originally rose to seven storeys.

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Polonnaruwa is an amazing city and it is a must to visit the rock temple and withness the amazing artistry in carving the buddah statues with on Rock. Here you will find the Sleeing Buddah, Laughing Buddah & the Sitting Buddah. The walk/drive through the property is amazing and scerene. Since this is a religious is is necessary that one dresses appropriately.

You are not supposed to back the statues while taking photographs.

The reason to walk the 1.5km from the rest of Polonnaruwa ruins (though a scenic walk) is to see a 9th century 3.5m high statue of a bearded figure which some believe is king Parakramabahu himself holding an object (either a yoke or a palm-leaf manuscript)

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Next to the reclining Buddha, is a 7 meter high Buddha with his hands crossed in front of his chest. Next are two splendid seated Buddhas in meditation posture that complete the group, one of them framed by a Sanchi-style arch.