Polonnaruwa

Ancient City of Polonnaruwa*
UNESCO World Heritage Site
State Party	Sri Lanka
Type	Cultural
Criteria	i, iii, vi
Reference	201
Region**	Asia-Pacific
Inscription history
Inscription	1982  (6th Session)
* Name as inscribed on World Heritage List. ** Region as classified by UNESCO.

History

King Vijayabahu I first declared Polonnaruwa, the second most ancient of Sri Lanka's kingdoms, the capital city in 1070 C.E. He defeated the Chola invaders to reunite the country once more under a local leader. While historians consider Vijayabahu's victory, and shifting of Kingdoms to the more strategic Polonnaruwa, significant, his grandson, Parakramabahu I, receives much of the credit for building Polonnaruwa. During the short Chola reign, Polonnaruwa had been called Jananathamangalam.

Golden Age of Polonnaruwa

Polonnaruwa
Statue at Gal Vihariya Statue at Gal Vihariya
Coordinates: {{#invoke:Coordinates|coord}}{{#coordinates:7|56|0|N|81|0|0|E|type:city
	name= }}
Country	Sri Lanka
Province	North Central Province, Sri Lanka
Polonnaruwa	Before 1070 C.E.
Government
- Mayor
Area
- Total	3,293 km² (1,271.4 sq mi)
- Land	3,077 km² (1,188 sq mi)
- Water	216 km² (83.4 sq mi)
Population (2001)
- Total	359,000
- Density	117/km² (303/sq mi)
Time zone	Sri Lanka Standard Time Zone (UTC+5:30)

It was his reign that is considered the Golden Age of Polonnaruwa, when trade and agriculture flourished under the patronage of the King, who was adamant that no drop of water falling from the heavens was to be wasted, and each be used toward the development of the land; hence, irrigation systems far superior to those of the Anuradhapura Age were constructed during Parakramabahu's reign, systems which to this day supply the water necessary for paddy cultivation during the scorching dry season in the east of the country. The greatest of these systems, of course is the Parakrama Samudraya or the Sea of Parakrama, a tank so vast that it is often mistaken for the ocean. It is of such a width that it is impossible to stand upon one shore and view the other side, and it encircles the main city like a ribbon, being both a defensive border against intruders and the lifeline of the people in times of peace. The Kingdom of Polonnaruwa was completely self-sufficient during King Parakramabahu's reign.

However, with the exception of his immediate successor, Nissankamalla I, all other monarchs of Polonnaruwa, were slightly weak-willed and rather prone to picking fights within their own court. They also went on to form more intimiate matrimonial alliances with stronger South Indian Kingdoms, until these matrimonial links superseded the local royal lineage and gave rise to the Kalinga invasion by King Magha in 1214 and the eventual passing of power into the hands of a Pandyan King following the Arya Chakrawarthi invasion of Sri Lanka in 1284. The capital was then shifted to Dambadeniya.

Today the ancient city of Polonnaruwa remains one of the best planned Archeological relic sites in the country, standing testimony to the discipline and greatness of the Kingdom's first rulers. Its beauty was also used as a backdrop to filmed scenes for the Duran Duran music video Save a Prayer in 1982.

The ancient city of Polonnaruwa has been declared a World Heritage site by UNESCO.

Polonnaruwa Kingdom

The Polonnaruwa Kingdom was the kingdom from which Sri Lankan kings ruled the island from the 8th Century until 1310 C.E.

After ruling the country for over 1200 years from the Anuradhapura Kingdom, Sri Lankan kings decide to move their capital to Polonnaruwa as it was further inland from Anuradhapura and therefore gave them more time to organize defenses in times of foreign invasion. Polonnaruwa had previously been an important settlement in the country as it commanded the crossings of the Mahaweli Ganga towards Anuradhapura.

Some of the rulers of Polonnaruwa include Vijayabahu I and Parakramabahu I (Parakramabahu the Great). Most of Polonnaruwa that remains today dates from after the 1150s, as the extensive civil wars that preceded Parakramabahu's accession to the throne devastated the city.

The Polonnaruwa Kingdom was abandoned in the 14th century, and the seat of government for the Sinhalese kings was moved to Yapahuwa. Although many factors contributed to this, the leading cause of the abandonment of Polonnaruwa as the kingdom of Sri lanka was it's susceptibility to invasions from south India.

Gal Vihare

Ananda Thera (center) standing by Lord Buddha (partly visible at right, reclining) at Gal Vihare

The Gal Vihare is a rock temple of the Buddha situated in north-central Sri Lanka. It was constructed in Polonnaruwa in the 12th century by Parakramabahu the Great. His architects excavated the shrine and left an inscription describing their work.

The central attraction of the shrine are four large statues of the Buddha, which were carved into the face of a granite boulder by Parakramabahu's architects. These include a recumbent statue of the Buddha measuring 46 ft. and a standing statue which is 23 ft. in height.

There is also a standing figure on a lotus throne inside the shrine which has been identified by some historians to be that of Ananda, the Buddha's chief disciple, weeping over the recumbent figure of the Buddha who has just attained Nirvana. there is a standing figure on a lotus throne, which has been identified by some to be that of Ananda, the Buddha's disciple, weeping over the recumbent figure of the Buddha who has attained Nirvana. However some, including Dr. Andreas Nell disagree, suggesting the figure is that of the Buddha, and the expression of sorrow is due to wear caused by the elements.

Kings and Queens of Polonnaruwa

• Vijayabahu I
• Jaya Bahu
• Vikrama Bahu
• Parakrama Bahu, The Great
• Nissankamalla I
• Queen Lilavati

Other Archeological ruins in the Polonnaruwa District

• Dimbulagala
• Madirigiriya
• Namal Pokuna
• Silumina Saya
• Maduru Oya
• Thoppigala
• Kalahagala
• Alahara
• Girithale

Present Situation

Near to the ancient city, there is a small town with several hotels (especially for tourists) and some glossy shops, and places to fulfill day to day needs. There are government institutions in a newly built area called “new town,” about 6km away from the town and the main road. The largest school in the district, Polonnaruwa Royal Central College is situated at new town.

Polonnaruwa is the 2nd largest city in north central province. But it is known as one of the cleaner and more beautiful cities in the country. The greeny environment, amazing ancient constructions, Parackrama Samudraya (a huge lake built in 1200 A.C.), attractive tourist hotels and most importantly nice people with hospitality, always attracted local and foreign tourists. One recent scientific observation is that of its climate changes. Historically Polonnaruwa had a tropical climate most of the year, although it was occasionally chilly in December and January. But in recent years the rain and chillyness has been increased noticeably. Although this is surprising to some people, it is more enjoyable for tourists. But sometimes paddy field farmers suffers when there is too much rain.

Gallery

• 

  The Recumbent statue of the Buddha. The Gal Vihariya in Polanaruwa had all three postures of the Buddha carved out of a single rock. A World Heritage site.

• 

  Polanaruwa ruins: What's left of an ancient library and reading room, at Sri Lanka's second capital city.

• 

  Garden at Polonnaruwa

• 

  Temple at Polonnaruwa

• 

  Buddha statue at a templein Polonnaruwa

See also

• Anuradhapura
• Sigiriya
• Mahawamsa

References

ISBN links support NWE through referral fees

• Abeysinghe, Abeyratna Banda. 1998. Guide to Polonnaruwa. Panadura: Dimuthu Printers. ISBN 9789558096000.
• Balasooriya, Jayasinghe (2004). The Glory of Ancient Polonnaruva. Sooriya Printers, Polonnaruva. ISBN 955-8158-01-1 (Archeological ruins)
• Basnayake, H. T., and Uda Hettige. 2007. Polonnaruwa civilization. Colombo: Godage International Book Publishers. ISBN 9789552074752.
• Fleet, John Faithful. 1882. The dynasties of the Kanarese districts of the Bombay presidency from the earliest historical times to the Muhammadan conquest of A.D. 1318. [Ames Library pamphlet collection, 97:6]. Bombay: Government Central Press. OCLC 30609559.
• Nubin, Walter. 2002. Sri Lanka: current issues and historical background. New York: Nova Science Publishers. ISBN 9781590335734.
• Paranavitana, Senarat and Cyril Wace Nicholas. 1961. A Concise History of Ceylon. Ceylon University Press, Colombo. OCLC 465385.
• Plunkett, Richard, Brigitte Ellemor, and Verity Campbell. 2003. Sri Lanka. Melbourne, Vic: Lonely Planet. ISBN 9781740594233.
• World and its peoples: Eastern and southern Asia. 2007. New York: Marshall Cavendish. ISBN 9780761476351.

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to:

Polanaruwa

• Detailed map of Polonnaruwa and Sri Lanka. Retrieved August 4, 2008.
• Discover Sri Lanka - More information & images about Polonnaruwa. Retrieved August 4, 2008.
• Discover Sri Lanka - Historical background of Polonnaruwa. Retrieved August 4, 2008.
• Discover Sri Lanka - Old City of Polonnaruwa. Retrieved August 4, 2008.
• The Medieval Capital of Polonnaruwa. Retrieved August 4, 2008.
• Polonnaruwa. Retrieved August 4, 2008.
• Ancient City of Polonnaruwa. Retrieved August 4, 2008.
• Polonnaruwa Ancient City, Sri Lanka. Retrieved August 4, 2008.
• Ancient City of Polonnaruwa - World Heritage. Retrieved August 4, 2008.
• "Discovering Polonnaruwa" - an article in The Hindu. Retrieved August 4, 2008.
• Galvihara - a unique display of rock art. Retrieved August 4, 2008.
• Official website of the Sri Lanka Tourism Board. Retrieved August 4, 2008.
• A list of traditional names of cities in Sri Lanka. Retrieved August 4, 2008.
• Places of interest in polonnaruwa. Retrieved August 4, 2008.

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