Colombo Trip Overview
Enjoy this all inclusive day tour covering all historical places of Polonnaruwa, delving into the rich history of the former medieval capital of Sri Lanka. This includes the marvel of Parakrama Samudraya, Polonnaruwa Vatadage, Gal Vihara and more. See all the ancient ruins of Royal Palaces and other buildings that are of historical significance of medieval kingdoms. Witness the magnitude of Parakrama Samudraya, an engineering marvel of King Parakramabahu I supplying water to the city. Be amazed by the unique Sinhalese architecture of the Polonnaruwa Vatadage. You will be travelling in the comfort of a luxury air conditioned vehicle with an English speaking driver cum guide to guide you along the way.
Additional Info
Duration: 11 to 12 hours
Starts: Colombo, Sri Lanka
Trip Category: Cultural & Theme Tours >> Cultural Tours
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What to Expect When Visiting Colombo, Western Province, Sri Lanka
Enjoy this all inclusive day tour covering all historical places of Polonnaruwa, delving into the rich history of the former medieval capital of Sri Lanka. This includes the marvel of Parakrama Samudraya, Polonnaruwa Vatadage, Gal Vihara and more. See all the ancient ruins of Royal Palaces and other buildings that are of historical significance of medieval kingdoms. Witness the magnitude of Parakrama Samudraya, an engineering marvel of King Parakramabahu I supplying water to the city. Be amazed by the unique Sinhalese architecture of the Polonnaruwa Vatadage. You will be travelling in the comfort of a luxury air conditioned vehicle with an English speaking driver cum guide to guide you along the way.
Itinerary
This is a typical itinerary for this product
Stop At: Polonnaruwa Vatadage, Sacred City, Polonnaruwa Sri Lanka
The Vatadage has been built during the reign of Polonnaruwa’s most famous king, Parakramabahu I (1153-86), who is also called Parakrambahu the Great. The circular temple is believed to have sheltered Sacred Tooth Relic, the Sinhalese national palladium, which had been kept in the nearby rectangular structures previously. The Vatadage of Polonnaruwa is the best preserved example of a circular temple, round edifices being a characteristic feature of ancient Buddhist architecture in Sri Lanka. Such circular temples contain small stupas and are therefore also called Chetiyagaras, which translates to stupa houses.
Duration: 20 minutes
Stop At: Gal Vihara, 440/225 Palm Grove State Minuwangoda road, Polonnaruwa 51000 Sri Lanka
Constructed during the reign of King Parakramabahu during the 12th Century, the Gal Viahraya otherwise known as the stone temple is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The Viharaya contains four Buddha statues, which have been carved on solid granite stone depicting irresistible sublimity. These four statues consist of two seated figure, a standing figure and a reclining figure. Each statue is placed within individual cave shrines.
Duration: 20 minutes
Stop At: Nissanka Latha Mandapaya, Polonnaruwa Sri Lanka
Nissanka Latha Mandapaya is a top-class masterpiece. Located in Polonnaruwa’s ancient town, this magnificent monument vividly depicts the amazing skill of the ancient stone carvers of Sri Lanka. This site was constructed between 1187 and 1196 by King Nissanka Malla who reigned on the island. It is thought that the monument named after him gave the king refuge as he listened to pirith or chanting Buddhist doctrines. This is attested by the details provided on a stone inscription on the site. Nissanka Latha Mandapaya consists of an elevated stone platform and elaborately sculpted stone pillars. The pillars of stone are of amazing beauty. In each column is sculpted a crown in the form of a lotus bud. There is also a distinctive shape in these columns. In three locations they are curved, resembling the stem at the top of the lotus flower.
Duration: 20 minutes
Stop At: Rankoth Vehera, Ancient Bhikku Hospital, Polonnaruwa 51000 Sri Lanka
Rankoth Vehera is a stupa situated in the antiquated city of Polonnaruwa in Sri Lanka. The stupa was worked by Nissanka Malla of Polonnaruwa, who administered the nation from 1187 to 1196. The Rankoth Vehera has been worked by the custom of the stupas of the Anuradhapura Maha Viharaya and looks somewhat like Ruwanwelisaya. Indeed, a stone engraving arranged near the stupa even distinguishes it by the name “Ruwanweli”. Be that as it may, it has later come to be known by the presently utilized name, Rankoth Vehera. In Sinhalese, ran implies gold, kotha is the name given to the zenith of a stupa, and vehera implies stupa or sanctuary. In this way, the name Rankoth Vehera can be generally meant English as “Gold Pinnacled Stupa”. Alongside the Kiri Vehera, it is a standout amongst the most worshipped stupas in Polonnaruwa.
Duration: 20 minutes
Stop At: Pabalu Vehera, Gal Vihara Road, Polonnaruwa 51000 Sri Lanka
Pabalu Vehera is located in the sacred city of Polonnaruwa. Pabalu Vehera, an unusually shaped brick building, was probably started by Queen Rupavati, the wife of Parakramabahu in Polonnaruwa. The original name of this vehera is unknown. The present name “pabalu” (meaning “beads”) is made from the discovery of a large number of small glass beads while excavating the area around the stupa. From the outside we can see that this rather impressive building resembles a stupa on a second stupa. The vehera usually has only 4 images. But there are nine image houses around the vehera.
Duration: 20 minutes
Stop At: Samudra Parakrama, Polonnaruwa Sri Lanka
King Parakramabahu, the ruler of Polonnaruwa at the time, built this colossal reservoir spreading over 2400 hectares, which filled-up number of minor tanks with network of irrigation system. The tank was originally consist of 5 large reservoirs naming Thopa wewa, Eramudu Wewa, Dumbuthulu Wewa, Kalahagala Wewa and Bhu Wewa in-order to reduce the pressure of the main dam. King Parakramabahu took the initiative to collect every drop of monsoon rain water by creating over 53 tanks in order to enrich and amplify the rice production and agricultural industry all together, providing safe water and sanitation services to the community. Hence the name “wew Bendi Rata” (Country of Reservoirs) was used to describe Polonnaruwa.
Duration: 20 minutes
