Polonnaruwa

Polonnaruwa is the second ancient capital of Sri Lanka (1070 – 1293). It became a capital of Singhalese State after its first capital Anurabhapura was demolished. Cave wall inscriptions founded nearby the city date II century B.C.
The Polonnaruwa Kingdom refers to the reign of Parakrambakhu the Ist. During his reign trade and agriculture were flourishing and developing in the country. Not a single drop of water was wasted all of it was used for the agriculture development. At that time aqueduct system of irrigation channels was built that work nowadays. It distributes water to rice plantations during the periods of draught.
The biggest water reservoir of the system is Parakramalake. It surrounds the city and serves simultaneously as a moat during war times and as a source of water supply for the population.
All the following kings of Polonnaruwa were not that successful in the city development. They made matrimonial unions with more powerful South-Undian Kingdom until those unions ousted the local royal dynasty. All this led to the weakening of the Kingdom and its gradual devastation in XIII century A.D.
In Polonnaruwa you can see monuments of various époques performed in various architectural styles.
Tuparama Chapel is a place where rituals of offerings to Buddha were accomplished.
The GhalVikhara stone temple of XII century. The basement of the temple is formed by four statues of Buddha in different positions carved from solid rock, each 7 meters high.
Khatadaghe – the Second Temple of Buddha’s Tooth, performed in ancient architectural style of Egypt, (the stepped pyramids) and Mesopotamia (the pyramid-like towers).
Pabala Vekhera – the Mortar, surrounded by chapels and altar pieces decorated with flowers.
Hindu Temple of Shiva – one of the oldest buildings of Polonnaruwa, constructed in X century A.D.
On the territory of Polonnaruwa there are: a monastery, a hospital and the archaeological cite of Reclining Buddha temple excavations.