Abhayagiri Stupa is the second-highest stupa in the country and it is located in Anuradhapura District of North Central Province, Sri Lanka. It is one also of the Eight Sacred places known as “Atamasthana”. The stupa was built by King Valagamba was also known as Vattagamani Abhaya and Valagambahu in 1st century BC. According to legends, the king has built this stupa to commemorate some incident that happened while he escaping from one fight with Tamil invaders.  According to this legend, a Jain monk called Giri has shouted at the king saying “the great black Sinhalese is fleeing”  while he was passing Read more...

Lankathilaka Vihara is a vaulted type (gedige) image house located in Polonnaruwa District of North Central Province, Sri Lanka. It was built by King Parakramabahu the Great (1153-1186 A.D.). This image house is considered to be the largest image house built in ancient Sri Lanka. There is evidence that the image house has been renovated during the Dambadeniya Period (13th century A.D.). The giant standing Buddha statue, two pylons at the entrance, and the remaining walls signify the extent of it.  The building, including the giant Buddha statue, is completely built with clay bricks. According to some chronicles, the building has Read more...

This monastic hospital is located in the Alahana Piriwena premises of the main archaeological site in Polonnaruwa District of North Central Province, Sri Lanka. The archaeological excavations have confirmed this building as a monastic hospital constructed in the 12th century. A medicine trough (Behet Oruva)made of stone is still can be seen in one room. This medicine trough had been used for treating patients by immersing in herbal oil. Several surgical and medical instruments also have been discovered during the excavations at this site. There are two main sections in this building namely living and treatment sections. Both sections have open courts Read more...

Thanthirimale Rajamaha Viharaya is located in Anuradhapura District of North Central Province, Sri Lanka. The temple was built in the 3rd century BC. It is believed that, when the Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi was brought in to Sri Lanka, one night along the way to Anuradhapura, the pot containing the sapling was kept at Thanthirimale.   Read more...

Menik Vehera is an ancient monastery located in Polonnaruwa District of North Central Province, Sri Lanka.  The history of this place is not known. However, according to the architectural features, it is assumed to belong to the 8-9 centuries A.D.  This monastery consists of a Stupa, image houses, a Bodhi – tree shrine, refectory, monk’s dispensary and cells.  The stupa here is of a rare type, which is built on a high terrace surrounded by a high wall. There is a carved stone door-frame at the entrance to the Stupa. This monastery is unnoticed by many of the visitors who Read more...

This building has been identified as the Council Chamber of King Nissankamalla (1187 – 1196 A.D.). An inscription on the lion figure made of the stone itself identifies as the throne of the king. And the inscriptions on the pillars indicate the seating arrangement of the respective ministers and state officials. This Council Chamber is located in the Dipauyana premises in Polonnaruwa District of North Central Province, Sri Lanka. You can access it through the Archaeological Museum or by the footpath (Royal Palace Pathway)  which is starting in front of the entrance to the main archaeological site. Read more...

Rankoth Vehera is the largest stupa in the ancient city of Polonnaruwa and the 4th largest in Sri Lanka. It is about 33m in height and 170m in diameter. It was built by the King Nissanka Malla (1187-1196). This stupa has constructed with the same design as the Ruwanwelisaya in the Sacred City of Anuradhapura. According to a stone inscription found in the vicinity of the stupa, it was initially named as “Ruwanweli Stupa”. However, later it has come to be known as Rankoth Vehera. At each of the fours sides of the stupa, there are ruins of four gateways (“Vahalkada” in Sinhala) Read more...

Velaikkara Inscription is an ancient inscription carved on a stone located in the Dalada Maluwa premises of main archaeological site in Polonnaruwa District of North Central Province, Sri Lanka. The Velaikkaras rebelled against King Vijayabahu (1055 – 1110 A.D.) in his 30th  year refusing to fight against the Colas and they were punished. It seems that Velaikkaras provided protection to the Temple of Tooth even during the early period of Viajayabahu due to the mention of construction of some building by them around the Temple of Tooth. Perhaps after the rebellion, they were removed beings the guards of the Temple of Read more...

Ranmasu uyana is pleasure garden of the ancient royals of Sri Lanka. It is located in between Thissa Wewa and Isurumuniya temple in Anuradhapura district of North Central Province. The garden is spreaded over 40 acres. This is a good example of ancient Sri Lankan garden architecture. Establishment of this “Ran Masu Uyana” has been carried out to full fill the essential necessity of a royal park and this was built on the right side of the Maha Vihara premises. Inscription of Vessagiriya, established by King Mihindu IV in the 10th century A.D., has identified this as the “Ranmasu Uyana”. Meaning Read more...

According to the inscriptions found, this pillared structure has identified as the Nissanka Latha Mandapaya. It is located in the place known as Dalada Maluwa in Polonnaruwa District of North Central Province, Sri Lanka. This building was constructed by the King Nissankamalla (1187-1196 A.D.). According to an inscription, this is the place where the King Nissankamalla listened to Pirith Chanting (a recitation or chanting of the word of the Lord Buddha). The building is surrounded by a stone railing and the entrance is also protected by a stone doorway. The stone pillars in this building are a unique design. These pillars are Read more...

The Lovamahapaya is one of the Eight Sacred places known as “Atamasthana” and it is located in the Sacred City of Anuradhapura in North Central Province, Sri Lanka. When you walk towards Ruwanweliseya from Sri Maha Bodhiya, The Lovamahapaya can be seen on your right-hand side. According to the Mahawamsa, the Lowamahapaya was a nine-story building and It was built by the King Dutugemunu (161-137 BC). You can read more about this place by visiting the external links given below. Photo Credit:  Balou46, ChampikaG External Links: King Dutugemunu’s gracious gift to Maha Sangha The Entrance Into the Tusita-Heaven Read more...

Ritigala is a mountain range located in Anuradhapura District of North Central Province, Sri Lanka. The mountain contains ruins of an ancient Buddhist monastery. The history of the monastery dates back to the 1st century BC.   Ritigala Read more...

This stupa popularly known as Kiri Vehera is located in Polonnaruwa District of North Central Province, Sri Lanka. The stupa is also a part of the archaeological site called Alahana Pirivena. The origin of this stupa not exactly traced yet. However, it is speculated that this was done by Queen Subhadra, a consort of  King Parakramabahu the Great (1153-1186). This is the second largest stupa in Polonnaruwa. The lime plaster of the dome is better preserved compared to the most of other stupa found in Polonnaruwa. Probably the present name “Kiri Vehera” also derived due to this preserved lime plaster. Read more...

Demalamaha Seya is an ancient stupa built by the King Parakramabahu (1153-1186). It is located in the main archaeological site in the Polonnaruwa District of North Central Province, Sri Lanka. As it was described in the ancient chronicle Mahawansa, the stupa named “Demalamaha Seya” was with a height of approximately 1300 cubit (594.36 m). Presently this brick built stupa has a perimeter of 600 m and height of 25.65 m. The excavation and the conservation project of the Demalamaha Seya was commenced by the Central Cultural Fund in 2014. n.b. These photos were taken in October 2017 External Links Bringing back Read more...

Isurumuniya is a Buddhist temple located in Anuradhapura District of North Central Province, Sri Lanka. The history of this temple dates back to reign of King Devanampiya Tissa (307 BC to 267 BC). Later this has been renovated by the King Kasyapa I (473-491 AD). Isurumuniya is most famous for stone carvings, especially the “Isurumuni Lovers” carving. In addition to that there are many other stone carvings can be seen in this temple. Isurumuni Lovers Stone carvings and sculptures   This slideshow requires JavaScript. Read more...

This Hindu Shrine is located in the archaeological site of Polonnaruwa, in North Central Province, Sri Lanka. The ancient name or the builder of this shrine is not known. However, according to the style of architecture, this may belong to the 13th century A.D. Read more...

The Minneriya Tank was built by the king Mahasen (276-304), who ruled the country from Anuradhapura. The tank is located in the Polonnaruwa District of North Central Province, Sri Lanka. The tank has been built by constructing a dam across Minneriya River. The dam is about 2 km in length with the maximum height of 21.34m[1].  The tank covered an area of 4,670 acres and it receives Mahaweli water through Elahera Giant Canal. Because of this giant construction and its usefulness to the irrigation and agriculture, the countrymen regarded the king as a god and he was named as Minneri Read more...

Thuparamaya is considered to be the first Stupa built in Anuradhapura, after the introduction of Buddhism to Sri Lanka. It is also one of the “Atamasthana” (8 most sacred places of Buddhists in Sri Lanka). The stupa was built during the reign of King Devanampiyathissa (307 BC to 267 BC). It is believed that the stupa enshrines the right collarbone Relic of the Lord Buddha. Thuparamaya Read more...

This Siva Devalaya is the oldest Hindu shrine found in the Ancient City of Polonnaruwa, Sri Lanka. It was built by king Raja Raja I (985 – 1014 A.D.). According to an inscription found, this place has been dedicated to the consort of the King. Read more...

The Somawathiya Stupa is said to be enshrined the right tooth relic of Lord Buddha. It is located in Somawathiya Rajamaha Vihara premises in Polonnaruwa District of North Central Province. The area in which the temple located belongs to the Somawathiya National Park as well. The stupa was built during the reign of the King Kavanthissa (205–161 BC ) and it was named after his sister called princes Somawathi. Enter your current location in the search box below the map to find the best route to the Somawathiya Stupa. Click here to find a list of accommodations around Polonnaruwa, Sri Lanka.   External Read more...

The Lankaramaya Stupa is one of the Eight Sacred places known as “Atamasthana”. The stupa was built during the 1st century B.C. by King Walagamba (89 B.C. – 77 B.C.). It is located in Anuradhapura District of North Central Province, Sri Lanka. According to chronicales, this place was also known by the names Silasobbakandaka and Galhebakada.  Initially, this stupa was known as Somarama Stupa in commemoration of Queen Soma who saved the life of the king. There are three rows of stone pillars that can be seen around the stupa and it is evident that there had been a house Read more...

Nelum Pokuna (Lotus Pond) is an ancient pond with a unique design made by ancient Sri Lankan architects. It is located in the ancient city of Polonnaruwa in North Central Province, Sri Lanka. The pond got its name because of its design which looks like a bloomed lotus flower. This pond is somewhat small compared to the other ponds found in the ancient city of Polonnaruwa and it is built with stones. The structural design of the Nelum Pokuna Theatre also has been inspired by this Lotus Pond. This pond is unnoticed by many of the visitors since it is located somewhat away Read more...

Pothgul Vehera is located in the Polonnaruwa District of North Central Province, Sri Lanka. The Sinhalese name “Pothgull” has the meaning of “place to store books”. As such, with the other historical evidence, this ancient place has been identified as the oldest Buddhist library complex in the country. It was built by the King Parakramabahu the Great (1153-1186). Click here to find a list of accommodations around Polonnaruwa, Sri Lanka on Booking.com   Read more...

The Jetavanaramaya is one of the Eight Sacred places known as “Atamasthana”. It is located in the Sacred City of Anuradhapura in the North Central Province of Sri Lanka. The Jetavanarama Stupa was built by King Mahasen (276-303).   During the reign of King Mahasen, this has become a center of Sagalika sect (also it is said that the Sagalika sect has started in Jetavanaramaya). This stupa was rehabilitated for the last time by King Parakramabahu in the 12th century. It is believed that this stupa has enshrined a part of a sash or belt tied by the Lord Buddha. Read more...