The second oldest city of Sri Lanka, the city of Polonnaruwa replete with many ruins of monasteries, royal palaces and various temples is a city that is steeped in centuries of history.
The image of ancient historical ruins greet the mind at the very mention of the word Polonnaruwa, for the name is linked with ancient civilizations that had known many glory days in the history past. Known as the second most ancient of Sri Lanka's kingdoms, it had been declared as a World Heritage Site owing to its abounding significance to the glorious history of Sri Lanka.
Although it was King Vijayabahu I who declared the city as his capital, it is his grandson, King Parakramabahu I who is associated more with this golden city. His reign is considered to be the golden reign of Polonnaruwa, where under the patronage of the king agriculture as well as arts, crafts and trade flourished by leaps and bounds. Bearing witness to many civilizations, Polonnaruwa bears many ruins of Buddhist monasteries which had once upon a time being grand, ruins of Brahmanic monuments built by the Cholas as well as the nostalgic remains of many palaces, gardens and ponds that had once been thriving in the royal days of the past.
The most beautiful thing about this city is perhaps the fact that the buildings themselves blend in quite unassumingly into the nature. Large reservoirs and complex waterways built by the great kings of the past to aid the agriculture based economy of the country function well right to this very day, astonishing even the modern engineers with the sheer dexterity of it all. Stupas and various monasteries dot the city and it is for this reason that Polonnaruwa is often referred to as the cradle of Buddhism and Sinhala history. Some of the must see religious ruins when visiting the location would be the Pothgul Vehera, Vatadage, Sathmahal Prasadaya which is a seven storied monastery, Gal viharaya and the Thivanka image house among the myriad of attractions available here.
Ruins of the Nissanka Malla Royal Palace as well as the palace of King Parakramabahu still remain, blatantly telling of the elegance and the grandeur of the bygone eras. Every grain of sand, every single rock in this area is steeped in centuries of history, while also showcasing the brilliance of Sri Lankan architecture that prevailed during that era.
Sri Lankans have always been the talented craftsmen as well as hospitable and gentle people. One must visit an authentic Sri Lanka hotel in order to fully experience the extent of the benevolence that these genuine people carry in their hearts. Heritance Kandalama is one of the best Sri Lanka hotels available in close proximity to all the places of interest in Polonnaruwa. Equipped with all the modern amnesties that only a luxury hotel can provide the guest, Heritance Kandalama offers the very best of Sri Lankan hospitability while taking care to immerse the guests in a truly authentic Sri Lankan experience like they've never experienced before.
The image of ancient historical ruins greet the mind at the very mention of the word Polonnaruwa, for the name is linked with ancient civilizations that had known many glory days in the history past. Known as the second most ancient of Sri Lanka's kingdoms, it had been declared as a World Heritage Site owing to its abounding significance to the glorious history of Sri Lanka.
Although it was King Vijayabahu I who declared the city as his capital, it is his grandson, King Parakramabahu I who is associated more with this golden city. His reign is considered to be the golden reign of Polonnaruwa, where under the patronage of the king agriculture as well as arts, crafts and trade flourished by leaps and bounds. Bearing witness to many civilizations, Polonnaruwa bears many ruins of Buddhist monasteries which had once upon a time being grand, ruins of Brahmanic monuments built by the Cholas as well as the nostalgic remains of many palaces, gardens and ponds that had once been thriving in the royal days of the past.
The most beautiful thing about this city is perhaps the fact that the buildings themselves blend in quite unassumingly into the nature. Large reservoirs and complex waterways built by the great kings of the past to aid the agriculture based economy of the country function well right to this very day, astonishing even the modern engineers with the sheer dexterity of it all. Stupas and various monasteries dot the city and it is for this reason that Polonnaruwa is often referred to as the cradle of Buddhism and Sinhala history. Some of the must see religious ruins when visiting the location would be the Pothgul Vehera, Vatadage, Sathmahal Prasadaya which is a seven storied monastery, Gal viharaya and the Thivanka image house among the myriad of attractions available here.
Ruins of the Nissanka Malla Royal Palace as well as the palace of King Parakramabahu still remain, blatantly telling of the elegance and the grandeur of the bygone eras. Every grain of sand, every single rock in this area is steeped in centuries of history, while also showcasing the brilliance of Sri Lankan architecture that prevailed during that era.
Sri Lankans have always been the talented craftsmen as well as hospitable and gentle people. One must visit an authentic Sri Lanka hotel in order to fully experience the extent of the benevolence that these genuine people carry in their hearts. Heritance Kandalama is one of the best Sri Lanka hotels available in close proximity to all the places of interest in Polonnaruwa. Equipped with all the modern amnesties that only a luxury hotel can provide the guest, Heritance Kandalama offers the very best of Sri Lankan hospitability while taking care to immerse the guests in a truly authentic Sri Lankan experience like they've never experienced before.