Sri Lanka: Ancient Polonnaruwa

Polonnaruwa is an archeological site in north central Sri Lanka. Between the 11th and 13th century Polonnaruwa was the capital of the island where rule changed between Sinhalese and Indian invaders a number of times. Much of what remains today were the results of the building program of Sinhalese King Parakramabahu. It's remarkable to me that such a small island nation, so close to the Indian subcontinent, has managed to maintain its independence for so long.

We rented bicycles, explored the site leisurely, it took us the whole day as the $30 site ticket is only good for a day, and it was checked/marked/stamped half a dozen times. The highlights were:

• The site is next to a huge lake - we were corrected - only natural lakes are lakes, otherwise they are tanks/reservoirs - wewa in Sinhala. We came to learn the island is dotted with thousands of them, starting as far back as 5th-century BCE. Those reservoirs allowed Sri Lanka to develop agriculture and advanced culture.
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
• The few pools really caught my attention - very luxurious.
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
• The reclining buddha at the Gil Vihara (Rock Temple) is particularly compelling.
  
  
  
  
  
  

The ruins of the Royal Palace (first below) with defensive walls and moat were impressive even though only remnants of the lower two floors, out of seven!, exist. The nearby King’s Council Chamber with columns, lion astatues, and elephant reliefs was splendid as well.






At Polonnaruwa there a many stupas, large and small.








And 2 Hindu temples. One was in the process of being packed up and moved in order for its foundation to be stabilized, the other is active and features a priest.




There were two outstanding Buddha Image Halls. One medium-size and cozy, the other monumental.




And more.