Minneriya Tank

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 Deviyo (God of Minneriya).  A Devale dedicated to the Minneri Deviyo still survives on the dam of Minneriya Tank. External Links Irrigation Department – Sri Lanka Constructions of King Mahasen Minneri reservoir and the colonization Scheme

Kaudulla National Park was designated as a national park on April 1, 2002. It is located in the Polonnaruwa District of North Central Province Sri Lanka. The park is spread over 6,900 hectares. You can reach the park by Ambepussa – Kurunegala – Trincomalee highway and it is around 190km away from Colombo. The Minneriya National Park, another park where you will find the Elephants in large numbers are also located close to this park. However, Kaudulla is less crowded compared to Minneriya and therefore some tourists prefer to visit Kaudulla. Kaudulla is another great place to see elephants in their natural habits. Around September is the best time to go on safari in the Kaudulla National Park. During this period elephants move to the Kaudulla tank in search of water and food.  The safari jeeps are arranged both morning and evening. The morning safari is started around 6:00 AM and evening safari is started around 3:00 PM. In addition to the elephants, Sri Lankan sambar deer, Sri Lankan axis deer, chevrotain, wild boar, Sri Lankan leopard, and sloth bear are other mammals found in the park. It is better to stay around Minneriya & Habarana City area if you wish to go on the morning safari, and you can ask safari jeeps to pick up you from your accommodation. Click here to find a list of accommodations around Minneriya, Sri Lanka. External Links In the cradle of Sinhala civilization, a resplendent wildlife nursery

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 from the other famous ruins. The pond is located on the left side of the road to the Thiwanka Pilimage, after the Demala Maha Seya.  

Tivanka Image House is identified as the image house of Jetavanaramaya Monastery built by the King Parakramabahu the Great (1153 – 1186). It is located in the main archaeological site of Polonnaruwa District in North Central Province, Sri Lanka. The name Tivanka (means three bends) is given due to its giant Buddha image is bent at three places, namely shoulder, hip, and knee. The image house is famous due to the paintings on its interior walls. The paintings belong to the 12th century and they depict certain incidents from Jataka Stories and the life of Buddha. Like Thuparamaya and Lankathilaka, this image house also belongs to the vaulted (Gedige) type and part of the vaulted roof is still lying to the South of the shrine. The vimanas with figures of details and the dwarf figure in various postures on the exterior walls are admirable work of creative art. This image house is located somewhat away from the other places and therefore many travelers who visit the Polonnaruwa archaeological site misses this. You can access this place by Thivanka Pilimage road at the left side of the road to the exit gate of the site. You can also visit the Demala Maha Seya and the Lotus Pond by this road and they are located before the Tivanka Image House.

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 Polonnaruwa’s magnificent past

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 had five stories and starting sections of the stairs still remain for today, The exterior and interior of this image house had been decorated with paintings. The entrance to the building is decorated with a Moonstone and two Guard Stones. The stucco relief sculpture on the exterior walls has South Indian influence. Building with stone pillars in front of the image house may have been a pavilion for his drummers.

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.

Gal Viharaya (or Rock Monastery), originally named as Uttararamaya is located in the ancient city of Polonnaruwa in North Central Province. It was created during the reign of King Parakramabahu I in the 12th century. The temple is famous due to the four statues of Lord Buddha carved into the face of granite rocks. The four statues included a large statue of seated Buddha, a small statue of seated Buddha, standing figure of Buddha and a reclining figure of Buddha.