Sigiriya, central province Sri lanka

It is 55 km to Sigiriya from Polonnaruwa, takes approximately an hour to drive. Sigiriya is famous for its palace ruins on top of a massive 200 meter high rock surrounded by the remains of an extensive network of gardens, reservoirs and other structures. The rock itself is a lava plug left over from an ancient long extinct volcano.

 

City views, from Polonnaruwa to Sigiriya.

Sigiriya is not a big town. The population of Sigiriya is 1001, the average elevation is 207 meters.

Going into the village of Sigiriya; Distant view of wild elephants, Distant view of Sigiriya Rock from inside the car, Image of the researcher Professor Senarathparana Vithana (1896-1972) and Ticket office.

The admission; The Sri Lankan nation is 50 Sri Lankan Rupee (LKR) and a foreigner is 3,900 LKR. (Warning: Price of drinks at a cafe is different Sri Lanka citizens and foreigners.)

Sigiriya (Lion Rock) is an ancient palace located near the town of Dambulla in the Central Province. It refers to a site of historical and archaeological significance that is dominated by a massive rock nearly 200 metres high.

Environment around the Sigiriya may have been inhabited since prehistoric times, the many rock shelters and caves in the vicinity were occupied by Buddhist monks and ascetics from as early as the 3rd century BCE.

The entrance of the ruins. Passing in front of the huge banyan tree, the water gerden come into view.

The water garden just inside the inner wall of the western precinct, consists of water pavilions, pools, cisterns, courtyards, conduits and water courses.

Water Garden Area; Views of the moat, pool, ruins of the gate-house and watercourse in the water garden complex.

The Water Gerdens called “Waterway of Lotus”

Going past the water garden, just basic parts made from brick and stone expand there.

The Sigiriya Rock from the water garden.

The main path from the Water Gardens leads to the next level of the Sigiriya Complex, the Boulder Gardens.

Locals were enjoying a picnic in the Boulder Garden on the Saturday afternoon, Strangely, they were all women and children. There was no even one man.

The Boulder Gardens also constitute a much older phase of the Sigiriya Complex; much of the artifacts and artistry here predates King Kasyapa by centuries and is the work of the monks who first built a monastery at the base of the Sigiriya Rock.

Preaching Rock of the Boulder Gardens

Preaching Rock lies the boundary between the Water Gardens and the Boulder Gardens. The rock, which abuts the Octagonal Tank in Water Garden, contains tiered platforms, believed to have been used by addressing monks.

Monk’s cell of the Boulder Gardens

This cell is an old monastic cave that was part of the early Buddhist monastery. It was created by walling up the open face of an rock overhang.

Bodhigara in the Boulder Gardens Sigiriya

This circular structyer is called Bodhigara, where monks would purify themselves before offering devotionals.

Deraniyagala cave, monastic shelter, and its faint traces of painting in the Boulder Gardens.

The Deraniyagala Cave came to be known by this name because the paintings in the cave were first recorded by Mr. P. E. P. Deraniyagala. This had been a monks’ dwelling belonging to the first monastic phase before Kasyapa. Faint traces of several female figures could be seen here and they are much like those in the main cave of Sigiriya rock, except that they are full-figure representations.

Asana Cave and its wall paintings in the Boulder Gardens Sigiriya

Asana Cave is with a drip-ledge (rainwater does not enter the room) and it takes the name from the seat (asana) inside, carved out of the living rock. This has been made for the use of meditating monks when Sigiriya was a monastery before Kayapa.

Cobra Hood Cave in the Boulder Gardens Sigiriya

The Cobra Hood Cave gets its name from the boulder above it that resembles a fully opened cobra’s hood. The cave was used by Buddhist monks as early as the 3rd century BC. Paintings in the cave though date back to the reign of Kassapa.

The Terrace Gardens of Sigiriya

The Terrace Garden at the base of the rock is fashioned out of the natural hill , made with rubbled retaining walls, each terrace running in a concentric circle around the rock, each rising above the other.

From the Boulder Gardens to the Terrace Gardens of Sigiriya

The path through the terraced gardens is formed by a limestone staircase. From this staircase, there is a covered path on the side of the rock, leading to the uppermost terrace where the lion staircase is situated.

Flora of Sigiriya

Gal Vihara, Polonnaruwa Sri-Lanka

15 Kiri Vihara is just ahead of Lankatilaka. The milk-white shrine was named Kiri Vehera (Sinhala: Milk coloured stupa) for its exterior of gleaming white.

Kiri Vihara Stupa, Polonnaruwa, Sri Lanka

This large stupa, lying north of Lankathilaka is said to be built by a queen of king Parakramabahu (1153-1186) called “Subadra”. The original name of this has been “Rupavathi Stupa”. This stupa is also the second biggest stupa in Polonnaruwa today. Also it is the only stupa to survive the 900 years of forces of nature and still is in the original condition.

Photos around Kiri Vihara.

There are many restored smaller stupas around Kiri Vehera. These have been identified as burial chambers of high priests and royals. Many of these including Kiri Vehera stupa have been attacked by treasure hunters and their valuables were ransacked.

After the Kiri Vihara Stupa, left for Gal Vihara on foot.

Going through a narrow alley to the Gal Vihara.

Scenery on the way from the Kiri vihara to the Gal vihara.

Walking about five minutes from the Lankatilaka Vihara, it got to the Gal Vihara.

13 Gal Vihara (also known as the Uttararama) is a rock temple of the Buddha situated in the ancient city of Polonnaruwa. It was built by Parakramabahu I in the 12th century.

Gal Vihara Polonnaruwa

Sitting Buddha image and the central altar of the Gal Vihara

The standing and reclining images of Buddha

Main characteristic of the temple is four images of the Buddha, which have been carved into the face of a large granite rock.

The seated Buddha image, which depicts the Zen sitting and a woman who prays.

The Buddha standing image depicts an unusual mudra (gesture of the finger)

The reclining Buddha image, which depicts the Buddha’s parinirvana (nirvana-after-death), is the largest in Gal Vihara.

Central Altar of Gal Vihara Polonnaruwa

The altar was carved out of the granite rock and set in the artificial cave.

A small statue called “Vidyhadhara Guha” in the altar.

These four images are considered to be some of the best examples of ancient Sinhalese sculpting and carving arts, and have made the Gal Vihara the most visited monument at Polonnaruwa.

Getting back through the edge of a pond

Birds on this area; White-throated Kingfisher, Asian Brown Flycatcher, White-bellied Drongo and Indian myna.

Flora around the Gal Vihara, I do not know about the plants at all.

Lankatilaka Vihara, Polonnaruwa Sri-Lanka

After the Quandrangle, left for the Lankatilaka and the Gal Vihara on foot.

The landscape on the way to Lankatilaka and Gal Vihara, 19 Pabula vihara and 27 Shiva Devale No. 2.

19 Pabula Vihara, also known as the Parakramabahu Vihara, is a tpical dagoba from the period of Parakramabahu I. It is the third-largest dagoba in Polonnaruwa. 27 Shiva Devale No. 2 is the oldest structure in Polonnaruwa and dates from the brif Chola period, when the Indian invaders established the city. It was built entirely of stone, so the structure today is much as it was when built.

Map: Quadrangle to Gal Vihara Polonnaruwa; This area is called Alahana Parivena.

23 Rankot Vihara and 12 Buddha Seema Prasada

23 Rankot Vihara (initial name “Ruwanmali dagaba”) is the 4th largest stupa in the country. Built by King Nissanka Malla (1187-1196), it is 55 meters in height 185 meters in circumference. This is the largest Stupa in Polonnaruwa. 12 Buddha Seema Prasada is the highest building in this area, a monastic university that extends over 80 hectares, the Buddha Seema Prasada was the abbots’ convocation hall, and features a ‘mandapaya’ or raised platform with decorative pillars.

Scenery around the Lankatilaka Vihara

This area was dense with numerous untouched ruins.

16 Lankatilaka Vihara is a monolithic Buddha image house built by king Parakramabahu (1153-1186) lying on the north of Buddha Seema Prasada.

Lankatilaka Vihara, Polonnaruwa, Sri Lanka

At the entrance to the building is two massive pillars made from bricks. The tallest one is 58 feet in height.

Lankatilaka Vihara, Polonnaruwa

The Buddha statue is also completely made out of clay bricks and it has been 41 feet in height.

Huge Buddha statue of the Lankatilaka Vihara

Specially made flat bricks have been used to build this statue and today the portion above the shoulder is destroyed.

The massive pillar with sculpture of Lankatilaka in Polonnaruwa

The building is complete made out of bricks and the outer walls are covered with elaborate designs and carvings.

Embossed carving and fresco of Lankatilaka

The guardstone and a monkey praying at Lankatilaka Vihara

Flora of this area, Polonnaruwa

 

Dalada Maluwa (Quadrangle) Polonnaruwa

This is the latter part of the previous Post. I’m still in the Quadrangle Polonnaruwa.

I found a stone monument between 1 Recumbent Image House and 2 Atadage and took some pictures. But I did not know what it is. The guide didn’t explain about it at all. Later, according to my research, it was a monument of great king Vijayabahu I in the Middle Ages.

Vijayabahu I of Polonnaruwa (ruled 1055–1110) was a medieval king of Sri Lanka.

Stone monument of Vijayabahu I in the Quadrangle Polonnaruwa

Born to a royal bloodline, Vijayabahu I grew up at a time when, part of the country was occupied by invaders from the Chola Kingdom of Tamilakam. He took over rulership of the Ruhuna principality in the southern parts of the country in 1055. Following a seventeen-year-long campaign, he successfully swept away the Chola out of the island in 1070, reuniting the country for the first time in over a century.

Velakara (Tamil) inscription, Stone statue and First currency of Vijayabahu I

During his reign, he re-established Buddhism in Sri Lanka and repaired much of the infrastructures which were damaged during the wars. Vijayabahu died in 1110, having reigned as king of Sri Lanka for fifty-five years. He was then known as “Mahalu Vijayabahu” (Vijayabahu the old) due to his age and long rule of the country. He is really a national hero of Sri Lanka.

9 Latha-Mandapaya (Nissanka Latha Mandapaya or The Lotus Mandapa )

Nissanka Latha Mandapaya Quadrangle Polonnaruwa Sri Lanka

Nissanka Latha Mandapaya, this lovely little pavilion was built by Nissanka Malla so he could sit within it and either listen to chanting of Buddhist scriptures or worship the Tooth Relic.

Description plate and unique stone pillars of Nissanka Mandapaya

The most important feature of this building is the shape and the carvings of the stone pillars. These pillars are carved in the shape of a lotus stork and the top of the pillars take form of a lotus flower.

Small Stupa of Nissanka Latha Mandapaya

At the center of the platform, flanked by the stone columns, is a small stupa. This is also made from stone, but the top part of it has been destroyed. Its base is decorated with a carved design.

8 Bodhisattva Shrine; Bodhisattva (Bodhi-Sattva) means that Buddhist worthy of nirvana who postpones it to help others.

Bodhisattva Shrine Quadrangle Polonnaruwa

In Buddhism, a bodhisattva is either an enlightened existence or an enlightenment-being or, given the variant Sanskrit spelling satva rather than sattva, “heroic-minded one for enlightenment.”

Statue of Buddha that training in search of enlightenment.

10 Bodhi Tree Shrine; just the foundations and a few pieces of stone pillars remain today.

Bodhi Tree Shrine Quadrangle Polonnaruwa

Bodhi tree (the holy tree) of Gautama Buddha; The founder Gautama Buddha of Buddhism got enlightenment sitting at the base of the tree.

11 Thuparama Gedige;   The desolate shrine has still roof completely. The whole buiding survived over 900 years miraculously. The roof is a semi-cylindrical in shape.  (Gedige is a vaulted shrine in Sinhala.)

Thuparama Gedige Quadrangle Polonnaruwa

The original name and the builder of this shrine is not known well, but it is said that it was built by a minister of King Parakramabahu or by king Vijayabahu the first to house the holy tooth relic.

Thuparama Gedige, east view of the building

The walls of the shrine are about 2 meters thick and inside some large Buddha statues have been kept.

Entrance of Thuparama Shrine

Some small windows on the thick walls, but it is quite dark in the room and difficult to take pictures.

Amazing Buddha statues are in the shrine.

The left and right statues are followers of Buddha, the central seating statue is the Gautama Buddha.

7 Vatadage; Vatadage is a unique and ancient Buddhist structure found in Sri Lanka. Vatadages were commonly built of stone and brick and adorned with elaborate stone carvings. They may have also had a wooden roof, supported by a number of stone columns arranged in several concentric rows. Only ten vatadages now remain in Sri Lanka.

Vatadage Quadrangle Polonnaruwa

This beautiful Stupa House has been built before the time of Nissanga Malla (1187-1196) but he has carried out major renovations on this building.

Circular Vatadage of the Quadrangle, Polonnaruwa

Vatadage Quadrangle Polonnaruwa

On the side of stair case some of most beautiful guard stones and moonstones in this area can be seen.

Moonstone at one of the entrances of Vatadage Quadrangle Polonnaruwa

Guardstones of the Vatadage Quadrangle

The guard stones on the eastern side of the temple is said to be the best guard stone in t he Polonnaruwa era.

Going up the stone stepes 0f the Vatadage, Quadrangle Polonnaruwa

On the centre is a small stupa and on the four sides, there are beautifully carved Buddha statues.

The Buddha statue on the Vatadage Quadrangle Polonnaruwa

One of the Buddha statues on the upper platform, positioned next to the stupa. The brick wall is visible on the background.

A monkey by the sanctuary of Vatadage

The Vatadage is a sacred place for the locals, but it is an amusement park for monkey.

Unique reliefs from the Quadrangle Polonnaruwa

Dalada Maluwa, Polonnaruwa

Just a short strall north from the Shiva Devaraya Temple ruins, It is a area of Sacred Dalada Maluwa (Dalada Courtyard), it’s usually referred as the Quadrangle. Quadrangle is literally a compact group of fascinating ruins in a raised-up area bounded by walls. The Quadrangle was built under rulers Vijayabahu I (1056-1111), Parakramabahu I (1153-1186) and Nissanka Malla (1187-1196).

The Sacred Quadrangle

The Sacred Quandrangle contains buildings that either housed the tooth relic of Buddha or else were dedicated to worshipping the relic. Whatever the reality is, this area is considered to be the religious heart and soul of Polonnaruwa as it contains the oldest and most sacred buildings in the city.

I got into the sanctuary through the eastern gate.

The Eastern entrance and stone colonnade of the Quadrangle / DALADA- MALUVA BUILDINGS ON THIS QUADRVGLE WERE EITHER SHRINES FOR THE TOOTH‐RELIC OR CONNECTED WITH ITS WORSHIP

Go up this stone stairs and passing through the path of the stone colonnade, then came up between Vatadage and Hatadage of the Quadrangle.

Famous circular temple Vatadage, Quadrangle Polonnaruwa

Hatadage, the first temple enshrined the Buddha tooth, in the Quadrangle

3 Hatadage (This ancient ruins of tempe is called Hatadage.)

Massive stone work of Hatadage

Hatadage description plate; you should read this plate.

The entrance steps and inner sanctuary of Hatadage.

Image of Gautama Buddha flanked by two attendants inner sanctuary of Hatadage

Hatadage, the Shrine of Sixty Relics, which stands opposite the Vatadage. It was claimed to have been built by King Nissankamalla to house the Sacred Tooth Relic and is a handsome edifice, whose plain ashlar walls are very artistically relieved by a double border of faintly incised carving.

4 Chapter House is situated North of the Hatadage, and is closely related to the temples of the Angkor of Cambodia and those of Thailand.

Chapter House Quadrangle Polonnaruwa

Mysterious stone pillar and description plate of the Chapter House

This vertebral column was the motif of lotus stem and the Chapter House was the practice and conference room of monks.

5 Stamahal Prasada; The mysterious pyramid temple known as Satmahal Prasada, Polonnaruwa, Sri Lanka.

Stamahal Prasada Quadrangle Polonnaruwa

This ziggurat-style temple wich consists of six diminishing storeys is an example of south-east asia influence on Sinhalese architecture.

6 Gal Pota (Stone Book)

Gal Pota (Stone Book) Quadrangle Polonnaruwa; You can see Chapter House and Stamahal Prasada beyond the Gal Pote.

The stone is 9m long and 1.5m wide, and up to 66cm thick. It’s a representation of an old book and is covered in inscriptions praising King Nissanka Malla. (At any time and in any country, political leaders are stupid.) Inscriptions also show that the stone was brought here all the way from Mihintale, a distance of 100 km.

2 Atadage is the first Tooth Relic Temple of Polonnaruwa.

Atadage Quadrangle Polonnaruwa

The Atadage was built by Vijayabahu in the 11th century. The name Atadage means “House of Eight Relics”. What remains of Atadage today are 54 stone pillars which once supported a timber upper floor where the relic was kept.

Tooth Relic Temple Atadage

A big Buddha statue stands near the end of the temple.

1 Recumbent Image House (Image of a recumbent Buddha)

Recumbent Image House Quadrangle Polonnaruwa

In the past, the magnificent image of recumbent Buddha was on here. Now, still desolated a cornerstone, a stone stairway and a few of stone columns are on here.

Found some flowers in the Quadrangle

Shiva Devaraya (No. 1), Polonnaruwa

On the way to the Quadrangle, dropped in at the temple of Shiva Devalaya (Shiva Devale No. 1).

Shiva is the god of destruction and transformation, one of the principal deities in Hinduism. Devalaya is probably Deva Raya I (the year of birth is unknown, reigned 1406–1422 CE). He was a king of the Vijayanagara Empire (of the Sangama Dynasty) South India.

The Shiva Devaraya shrine among the green, taken from the car.

The Shiva Devalaya is located between the Royal Palace complex and the sacred Quadrangle.

The front of the Shiva Devaraya Temple

Got off the car, went up the left side steps and entered the temple yard.

Ruins of Shiva Devaraya Temple

The builder of this Hindu Temple is not clearly identified. But its believed that this was constructed in 13th century AD by south Indian invaders.

Tried to go into the ruins of the Hindu temple, a narrow stone room.

This Devalaya is build mainly with the stonework, which were done very precisely and no plastering were done to connect the stone bricks to each other.

Entering the next room.

Today you can’t see the roof of the temple of  Shiva Devalaya, but it is believed that the roof was done in bricks. The domed brick roof has collapsed.

There was a small mysterious stone sculpture in the center of the room.

According to the guidebook, “You can see the stone Shiva lingam (ශිවගේ) inside, it’s still worshiped by the people nowadays.”

Photograph of the rear of the temple

When this temple has been excavated, there was a lot of excavated articles. Now you can see them in the Archaeological Museum of Polonnaruwa.

Photographs of image of the Hindu; from the Archaeological Museum of Polonnaruwa.

Except one standing statue, all of the statue fold thier legs. Why? If someone know it, please tell me.

Ruins of Royal Palace, Polonnaruwa

Arrived at the entrance of the ruins of Royal Palace complex called Vatadage, Polonnaruwa.

City map of Polonnaruwa

A poor vendor was feeding some monkeys at the perking of Royal Palace.

Vatadage is an ancient structure dating back to the Polonnaruwa period of Sri Lanka. It is believed to have been built during the reign of Parakramabahu I (1153-1186) to hold the tooth relic of the Buddha, or during the reign of Nissanka Malla to hold the alms bowl used by the Buddha.

Going to the ruins of Royal Palace

Parakramabahu’s Royal Palace was a magnificent structure measuring 31m by 13m, and is said to have had seven storeys.

The ruins of Royal Palace, Polonnaruwa

Today only some of the 3m-thick walls are left, with holes to hold floor beams for two higher floors.

The Royal Palace of King Perakumba

If the building really had four more levels above these stone walls, they must have been made of wood, says the archeologists.

The Royal Palace was the once grand residence of King Parakramabahu.

According to the historical records, the Royal Palace had about 1000 rooms, but today you can see only ruins of 55.

Council Chamber remains of Polonnaruwa

This is the King’s Council Chamber next to the royal palace. It is also known as Raja Vaishyabhujanga Mandapaya.  Parakramabahu’s Council Chamber is an ancient meeting place of the ruler’s ministers.

Council Chamber of the Royal Palace Complex

Although the wooden roof of the building is now long gone, you can still see its elegantly carved pillars under which the great king used to be seated and hold council.

Carving stone pillars of Council Chamber of Polonnaruwa

The Council chamber is 23m in length and 10m width. There are 4 rows with 12 stone pillars in each raw. Each pillar is decorated with carvings.

The epigraph of Council Chamber; This epitaph is better than my explanation.

The Audience Hall at Parakramabahu’s Royal Palace; Leaving the area of Council Chamber for the Royal Bath

Royal Bath and Rest Place of the King, Polonnaruwa

The Royal Bath, Polonnaruwa

Someone said “It must have been impressive in its time, but now it looks like the bathwater needs changing.”

King’s dressing and rest room on the Royal Bath, Polonnaruwa

After the ruins of Royal Palece, moved to the Sacred Quadrangle.

Unique sculptures from Royal Palace Complex Polonnaruwa

Polonnaruwa, Sri Lanka

It is about 60km from Anuradhapura to Polonnaruwa. It will take one hour ten minutes by car.

The scenery on the way from Anuradhapura to Polonnaruwa.

Polonnaruwa is the main town of Polonnaruwa District in North Central Province. It has a population of about 13,000 inhabitant. Kaduruwela area is the Polonnaruwa New Town and the other part of Polonnaruwa remains as the royal ancient city of the Kingdom of Polonnaruwa.

Views of Polonnaruwa Town; Getting into Polonnaruwa, Bendiwewa Lakeside, Polonnaruwa Railway Station, Downtown Area of Polonnaruwa.

Polonnaruwa map, northern half

Polonnaruwa map, southern half

Splendid medieval capital of Polonnaruwa was established as the first city of the land in the 11th Century, A.D. It replaced Anuradhapura, which was plundered, made desolate and laid hopelessly bare to the invading armies from South India.

Important places on Polonnaruwa; Gal Vihara, District General Hospital, Royal Central College, Ruins of Royal Palace

The ancient city of Polonnaruwa has been declared a World Heritage site by UNESCO. Polonnaruwa is the second largest city in North Central Province, but it is also known as one of the cleanest and more beautiful cities in the country.