Gal Pota, or Stone Book, is an long granite carving of a palm leaf book that was used to record Buddhist texts and royal genealogies. However this slab praises the works of King #2, Nissankamalla, a Tamil prince from India who married into the Sinhalese nobility. He is the third Polonnaruwan king. The inscription is […]
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Polonnaruwa: Vatadage
The Vatadage consists of a central shrine and dagoba, which is now missing its wooden roof, enclosed by a brick wall. Four sets of steps lead to the terrace. Two stone platforms are decorated with stone carvings. The lower one is accessed through a single entrance and the raised one is accessed through four doorways […]
Polonnaruwa: Vijayanta Prasada
Vijayanta Prasada is the first ruins after entering the grounds. This was the royal palace, built by King Parakramabahu I in the 12th Century. In its heyday, the palace stood seven stories tall and contained 1,000 rooms. Construction took a little over seven years. It was destroyed by South Indian invaders in the 13th century. Burned bricks […]
Polonnaruwa: Thuparama Gedige
The Thuparama Gedige is the smallest gedige (hollow Buddhist temple with thick walls) in Polonnaruwa. This has stood the test of time, as proven by the intact roof. Four standing Bodhisattva statues adorn the interior.
