| Name | POLONNARUWA |
|---|---|
| Latitude Longitude | 7.9403° N, 81.0188° E |
| Best Season | THROUGHOUT THE YEAR |
| District | POLONNARUWA |
| Image | B.jpg |
| Id | 29 |
| Pricefrom | 0 |
| Created | 1/10/21, 12:26 AM |
-the second capital of ancient Sri Lanka-
<ul>Polonnaruwa is located 225 km north-east of Colombo. It was the second capital of ancient Sri Lanka. King Vijayabahu the first selected Polonnaruwa as the capital city in 1070 AD. Then onwards Polonnaruwa was thriving as a commercial and religious centre in Sri Lanka as well as Asia for <span style="font-size: 1rem;">nearly 175 years,</span></ul><ul>.</ul>
| Id | Location Id | Thinkstodocategory Id | Title | Name | Decsription | Duration Hours | Suitable Time | Good For | Difficulty | Clothing | Equipments | Numberofparticipants | Importanttoknow | Approximatecost | Remarks | Showforpublic | Image | Created | Actions |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 58 | 29 | 1 | Wildlife safari, Maduru Oya national park | Wildlife safari, Maduru Oya national park | <ul>Maduru Oya is known since ancient times due to the Maduru Oya River which is a main water stream in the area. Today it is famous for the Maduru Oya reservoir built in the 1980s under Mahaweli Development Project and the national park which also established under this project.<br> <br>It was established in 1983 to provide refuges for displacing wild animals due to reservoir project and catchments for the reservoir. The indigenous Vedda people, Sri Lankan hunter-gathers who are living in the project area resettled in Henanigala near the national park.<br> <br>The national park is located 255 km from Colombo and 50 km from Polonnaruwa. If you are looking for a wildlife safari in a less crowded, isolated, and tranquil place with more elephants, Maduru Oya national park would be ideal. </ul> | 1 | B.jpg | 2/11/19, 6:38 AM | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||
| 59 | 29 | 1 | Elephants watching, Minneriya national park | Elephants watching, Minneriya national park | <ul>Minneriya national park is located 195 km northeast of Colombo and 30 Km from Polonnaruwa. It is the best place in the world to see a large herd of Asian elephants. It was a Wildlife Sanctuary since 1938 and designated as a national park in 1997. </ul> | 1 | B.jpg | 2/11/19, 8:01 AM | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||
| 281 | 29 | 12 | Dimbulagala | Dimbulagala | <ul>Dimbulagala is a large isolated mountain situated 23 km away from Polonnaruwa. Dimbulagala was recorded several times in the history book as a monastic complex where a number of drip ledge caves with Brahmic inscriptions belongs to the 3rd and 2nd centuries BC were found.<br> <br>There are 5 archaeological sites named Namal Pokuna ruins, Mara Vidiya, Pulligoda cave paintings, Molahetiwelagala, and Kosgaha Ulpatha can be found. Among them Pulligoda cave paintings, a large mural covering the entire rocky wall belongs to 4th century AD is an important place to visit. </ul> | 1 | Dimbulagala B.jpg | 11/23/19, 1:29 AM | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||
| 282 | 29 | 12 | Somawathiya Chaitya, Somawathiya National Park | Somawathiya Chaitya, Somawathiya National Park | <ul>Somawathiya is famous for the Somawathiya Chaitya and Somawathiya national park. Somawathiya Chaitya is located within the Somawathiya national park on the left bank of Mahaweli River, 39 km from Polonnaruwa.<br> <br>It is believed that Somawathiya chaitya was built by King Kavantissa in the 2nd century BC and named after his sister Princess Somawathi. During the reconstruction of Somawathiya Chaitya in recent years keep a small strip of the original stupa that first done by princes Somawathi and secondly by king Kanittathissa in 164 AD without plastering. Chaitya is considered as a place that eminates Buddha rays.<br> <br>The area around the junction where Mahaweli River is forked into two branches belongs to Somawathiya national park. The park contains around 20 “Villus” of water-filled basins around among the grassy plains. </ul> | 1 | B.jpg | 11/23/19, 1:33 AM | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||
| 283 | 29 | 44 | Polonnaruwa Museum | Polonnaruwa Museum | <ul>Polonnaruwa Museum is the place you should visit before entering the ancient city of Polonnaruwa. Because it is the place where you get a holistic view of the Polonnaruwa era and details of what in front of you to see. | 1 | B.jpg | 11/23/19, 1:37 AM | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||
| 285 | 29 | 33 | Medirigiriya Vatadage | Medirigiriya Vatadage | <ul>Medirigiriya Vatadage is a glorious architectural construction belongs to 7th century AD. It is located 34 km away from Polonnaruwa. The concept of Vatadage was the unique architecture of ancient Sri Lanka. Basically, Vatadage was built around the stupa to protect it. It was erected on an elevated circular dais, encircling the small stupa. Archeologists believed that there may be a wooden roof with the support of stone or wooden columns arranged in several concentric rows. </ul> | 1 | B.jpg | 11/23/19, 1:43 AM | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||
| 286 | 29 | 1 | Angammedilla national park, Angammedilla stone weir | Angammedilla national park, Angammedilla stone weir | <ul>Angammedilla national park is nominated to protect the drainage basin of Parakrama Samudraya. It is located 20 km away from Polonnaruwa.<br> <br>Ancient Angammedilla Gal Amuna (stone weir), has located at the edge of the national park that tapped the water of Amban Ganga River and diverted to Parakrama Samudraya through the canal called Akasa Ganga. It was created in the 12th century AD by King Parakramabau – I. <br> <br>During the months of January to April Angammedilla Gal Amuna and the surrounded area is full of butterflies. </ul> | 1 | B.jpg | 11/23/19, 1:48 AM | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||
| 330 | 29 | 40 | Ancient City of Polonnaruwa, World heritage site | Ancient City of Polonnaruwa, World heritage site | <ul>The World Heritage site, the ancient city of Polonnaruwa is the must-visit place on your journey in Sri Lanka. The most number of buildings in the ancient city of Polonnaruwa has built by King Parakramabahu the Great. He designed Polonnaruwa as a complete city by constructing the king’s palace and administration building with an auditorium, the various religious buildings centered on Alahana Pirivena (a medieval centre of learning for monks), and the unique irrigation complex based on Parakrama Samudraya (sea of Parakrama) that waters the city as well as the surrounding plains.<br> <br>This cultural treasure Polonnaruwa is a part of the “Cultural Triangle” in Sri Lanka. It shows the interesting blend of the influence of south Indian Hindu culture on the Sinhala Buddhist art and architecture in the scattered shrines and monuments still venerated daily by devotees. The top sites you not to miss in your journey in Polonnaruwa are:<br> <br><b>Northern Monuments</b><br> <br><i><b>Gal Viharaya</b></i><br> A magnificent group of colossal statues of Lord Buddha was cut in a row from streaked granite rock originally known as Uttararama. This was the masterpiece of Sinhalese artistic achievement. The expressions of peace, serenity on the statues, and the consummate skills shown by the craftsmen will linger most of the visitors. <br><i><b>Rankot Vehera</b></i><br> The name “Rankot” means goldern-pinnacled. It was the largest stupa in Polonnaruwa with a height of 55 m. This stupa was founded by one of the queens of King Parakramabahu the great and completed by King Nissankamalla. <br><i><b>Alahana Pirivena complex</b></i><br> Alahana Pirivena was the centre of learning for monks. This complex consists of Badda Seema Prasada, Lankatilaka Pilimage, and Kiri Vehera <br><i><b>Badda Seema Prasada</b></i><br> Badda Seema Prasada was an assembly hall said to be 12 storied building used for reciting the common rules of discipline of the Vinaya ancient Bhikku hospital on the right side of this building. and Kirivehera Stupa parts <br><i><b>Lankathilaka Pilimage (image house)</b></i><br> This image house was completely made out of bricks and the outside of the wall decorated with carvings. A headless monolithic Buddha image of 12.49 m in height is inside this image house <br><i><b>Kiri Vehera</b></i><br> The most preserved and unrestored stupa in Sri Lanka. The stupa has unspoiled white plaster and that’s’ why it was named as Kiri (Milk) Vehera.<br> <br><b>Ancient City</b><br> <br><i><b>Sacred Quadrangle</b></i><br> The main focus of the ancient city area is Sacred Quadrangle (In Sinhala “Dala Maluwa”). It is the terrace of the tooth relic temples built by various kings ruled from Polonnaruwa. The sacred quadrangle is on a raised up platform bounded by a wall. It has contained 12 ancient buildings. <br><i><b>Atadage</b></i><br> The first tooth relic temple built by King Vijayabahu – I. It is said that this was built on 54 stone pillars and the relic was kept on the second floor. A few steps of the staircase to the second floor still can be seen. This is the only surviving building in Polonnaruwa built by King Vijayabahu – I. <br><i><b>Hatadage</b></i><br> The tooth relic temple said to be built by King Nissankamalla. <br><i><b>Polonnaruwa - Vatadage</b></i><br> A circular building with a diameter of 18 m. The uppermost platform containing a small stupa on the centre and 4 seated Buddha statues around it. The lower platform has a single entrance. The middle platform has four entrances facing the four cardinal points. The Buddha statues in the uppermost platform directly facing the four entrances. The moonstone and the guard stone at the entrance of the Vatadage have considered the best of their kind in Sri Lanka and masterpiece of Singhalese art tradition. <br><i><b>Nissanka Latha-Mandapaya</b></i><br> This beautiful architectural edifice has built by king Nissankamalla to listen to the religious texts being chanted. It is a stone-built structure only its foundation platform and highly ornate stone columns remain. <br><i><b>Thuparamaya</b></i><br> The well-preserved image house was built for the worship of the Buddha. This is a different architectural manifestation in comparison with the other image houses in Sri Lanka. It is considered as a stylistic derivation of the ancient architectural form called “Gnijakavsatha” described in Pali literature. <br><i><b>Gal Pota</b></i><br> The "stone book" is an enormous stone slab that has glowing inscriptions praising the work of King Nissankamalla. This 8 m long, 4 m wide 25 tonnes weighed stone slab dragged from Mihintale to Polonnaruwa <br><i><b>Sathmahal Pasada</b></i><br> This "Seven Storey Edifice" was a Buddhist stupa that perhaps reflects a rare architectural form that prevailing in the wider Asian region including the southeast during the late historic period that is exemplified by the Wat Phra That Hariphunchai in Lamphun, Thailand. <br><i><b>Shiva Devale No. 1</b></i><br> It is believed that this was built in the 13th century AD by south Indian invaders. This was constructed according to the south Indian architectural style with excellent stone carving.<br> <br><b>Royal citadel Monuments</b><br> <br><i><b>Vejayanta Pasada</b></i><br> This the King Parakramabahu’s administrative centre including his palace. According to the chronicle, it is a seven-story building and contained 1000 rooms. The gigantic brick walls of the auditorium and 40 intercommunicating rooms can still be seen. <br><i><b>Audience Hall</b></i><br> King Parakramabahu’s audience hall is located east of the royal palace that has gorgeous stone carvings. The perfectly engraved bas-relief friezes of elephants and majestically seated lions are on the stone base of this building. <br><i><b>Kumara Pokuna</b></i><br> The royal bathing pool and the remains of the water gardens of the royal palace beautiful places to watch.<br> <br><b>Southern Monuments</b><br> <br><i><b>Pothgul Vihara Statue</b></i><br> The statue carved on a large rock boulder near the Pothgul Viharaya. The majestic figure depicted on the statue is commonly known as a figure of King Parakramabahu the great but still not confirmed by the archaeologist. <br><i><b>Pothgul Vihara</b></i><br> This is the ancient library complex. It is Gedige type structure and consists of four small stupas surrounding a circular brick building on the central platform. <br><i><b>King Nissankamalla’s Council chamber</b></i><br> It is located close to the bund of the Parakrama Samudraya, the largest man-made ancient reservoir in Sri Lanka. Each pillar of this council chamber has an inscription indicating the seating arrangement of the respective ministers and state officials and their statues.<br> <br>The ancient city of Polonnaruwa much of the same as the ancient city of Angkor in Cambodia that also belonged to the same period. Both being able to walk relatively freely through the temples, shrines, and ruins</ul> | 1 | B.jpg | 4/28/20, 11:43 PM | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||
| 335 | 29 | 4 | Danigala, Alien Mountain | Danigala, Alien Mountain | <ul>Danigala or the Alien Mountain is located at Aralaganwila, 44km away from Polonnaruwa. In recent years there has been some news about UFO sighting in this area. If you climb up to the top of Danigala you may be brought up some favourable question mark regarding UFO sighting. That is due to the circular shape at the top and its’ vegetation. Hike to the top of the mountain would be a fascinating experience. Danigala temple at the bottom of the mountain. It has a lot of ruins and 70 odd caves. Partly destroyed reclined Buddha statue looks similar to the Pidurangala Buddha statue can be seen in one of these caves.</ul> | 1 | Danigala B.jpg | 5/3/20, 2:13 AM | View Edit Delete |
| Id | Name | Location Id | Description | Image | Comfort Id | Created | Remarks | Actions |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 214 | Sudu Araliya | 29 | 10-1.jpg | 2 | 3/3/22, 2:40 AM | View Edit Delete | ||
| 126 | Giritale Hotel | 29 | Giritale Hotel 39.jpg | 2 | 2/27/20, 6:21 AM | View Edit Delete | ||
| 127 | Mahanuge Hotel | 29 | Mahanuge Hotel Polonnaruwa 48.jpg | 2 | 2/27/20, 6:23 AM | View Edit Delete | ||
| 128 | Hotel Sudu Araliya | 29 | Hotel Sudu Araliya 77.jpg | 2 | 2/27/20, 6:37 AM | View Edit Delete | ||
| 129 | The Deer Park Hotel | 29 | The Deer Park Hotel 109.jpg | 2 | 2/27/20, 6:39 AM | View Edit Delete | ||
| 131 | Ekho Lake House | 29 | Ekho Lake House 128.jpg | 2 | 2/27/20, 7:15 AM | View Edit Delete |
| Id | Itinerary Id | Duration Info | Accommodation Info | Location Id | Description | Meals Info | Hotel Id | Image | Created | Actions |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 328 | 31 | DAY - 8 (Trincomalee - Sigiriya - Polonnaruwa) | 29 | <ul><li>Breakfast at the hotel.<br></li><li>Transfer you to Sigiriya. Approximately 2 hours’ drive.</li><li>Explore Sigiriya Rock Fortress, a UNESCO Cultural World Heritage Site, and Mapagala Fortress and visit the Sigiriya Museum.</li><li>Then transfer you to Polonnaruwa. Approximately 1 hours’ drive.</li><li>En-route do a wildlife safari at Minneriya national park where the most number of Asian Elephants can be seen in a one heard.</li><li>Overnight dinner and stay at Hotel Sudu Araliya, Polonnaruwa</li></ul> | Bed & Breakfast | 128 | SIGIRI--MINNE.jpg | 5/7/20, 3:13 PM | View Edit Delete | |
| 385 | 36 | DAY - 8 (Trincomalee - Polonnaruwa) | 29 | <ul><li>Breakfast at the hotel<br></li><li>Transfer you to Polonnaruwa. Approximately 4 hours’ drive.</li><li>En-route visit Seruwawila Mangala Maha Seya, Seruwawila, and Somawathi Raja Maha Viharaya both are historical Buddhist temples. There might be a chance to witness heard of elephants because you will be coming through Soamwathi national park. </li><li>Afternoon cycling inside the ancient city of Polonnaruwa, the 2nd capital of ancient Sri Lanka and a Cultural World Heritage Site</li><li>Dinner and overnight stay at Sudu Araliya, Polonnaruwa</li></ul> | Bed & Breakfast | 214 | 1.jpg | 5/10/20, 6:43 AM | View Edit Delete | |
| 386 | 36 | DAY - 9 (Polonnaruwa – Sigiriya – Dambulla - Polonnaruwa) | 29 | <ul><li>Wake up in the early morning for a morning hike to Pidurangala rock to witness sunrise at the top of the Pidurangala rock. It would be one of the most spectacular views you have ever seen. It is only about 20 min hike.<br></li><li>Then climb Sigiriya Rock Fortress, a UNESCO Cultural World Heritage Site </li><li>Visit Sigiriya museum </li><li>After that visit the Dambulla cave temple, a UNESCO Cultural World Heritage Site.</li><li>Then visit elephants watching safari at Kaudulla national park.</li><li>Dinner and overnight stay at Sudu Araliya, Polonnaruwa</li></ul> | Bed & Breakfast | 214 | 2.jpg | 5/10/20, 6:47 AM | View Edit Delete | |
| 428 | 39 | DAY - 4 (Knuckles - Polonnaruwa) | 29 | <ul><li>Early morning trek for bird watching and witness the fantastic sunrise while riding a traditional catamaran (canoe).<br></li><li>Breakfast at the camp.</li><li>Start hike to Yahangala</li><li>After that transfer you to Polonnaruwa via Mahiyanganaya. Approximately 3 hours’ drive.</li><li>En-route visit Veddha, Sri Lanka’s Aborigines, in their last remaining village of Dambana. They will show you their ways of life and their traditional ways and means of hunting and Mahiyangan temple.</li><li>Dinner and overnight stay at Sudu Araliya, Polonnaruwa </li></ul> | Bed & Breakfast | 214 | 2.jpg | 5/13/20, 2:52 AM | View Edit Delete | |
| 429 | 39 | DAY - 5 (Polonnaruwa - Ritigala – Polonnaruwa) | 29 | <ul><li>Wake up in the early morning for a morning hike to Pidurangala rock to witness sunrise at the top of the Pidurangala rock. It would be one of the most spectacular views you have ever seen. It is only about 20 min hike.<br></li><li>Then climb Ritigala mountain. Ritigala mountain is an ancient forest monastery. Lots of ruins can be seen. The upper part of the mountain is a strict nature reserve. </li><li>Then visit elephants watching safari at Kaudulla national park.</li><li>Dinner and overnight stay at Sudu Araliya, Polonnaruwa</li></ul> | Bed & Breakfast | 214 | DB-SIGIRI-MINNE.jpg | 5/13/20, 2:55 AM | View Edit Delete | |
| 430 | 39 | DAY - 6 (Polonnaruwa) | 29 | <ul><li>Breakfast at the hotel<br></li><li>Hike to “Danigala”, the Alien Mountain located at Aralaganwila, 44 km away from Polonnaruwa. In recent years there has been some news about UFO sightings in this area. Hike to the top of the mountain would be a fascinating experience. </li><li>Afternoon cycling in the Polonnaruwa ancient city, the 2nd ancient capital of Sri Lanka and UNESCO Cultural World Heritage Site</li><li>Dinner and overnight stay Sudu Araliya, Polonnaruwa</li></ul> | Bed & Breakfast | 214 | 1.jpg | 5/13/20, 3:09 AM | View Edit Delete | |
| 475 | 42 | DAY - 10 (Pasikuda - Polonnaruwa) | 29 | <ul><li>Breakfast at the hotel</li><li>Transfer to Polonnaruwa. Approximately 1 and a half hours’ drive if you drive directly</li><li>En-route hike Danigala Alien mountain</li><li>Afternoon visit the ancient city of Polonnaruwa, a Cultural World Heritage Site.</li><li>Dinner and overnight stay at Hotel Sudu Araliya, Polonnaruwa</li></ul> | Bed & Breakfast | 214 | 1.jpg | 5/15/20, 1:08 PM | View Edit Delete | |
| 476 | 42 | DAY - 11 (Polonnaruwa - Sigiriya - Polonnaruwa) | 29 | <ul><li>Breakfast at the hotel</li><li>Transfer you to Sigiriya. Approximately 1 hours drive</li><li>Climb world famous Sigiriya lion rock, the ancient rock fortress, a world heritage site</li><li>Afternoon visit Minneriya national park to see the largest heard of Asian elephants in the world </li><li>Dinner and overnight stay at Hotel Sudu Araliya, Polonnaruwa</li></ul> | Bed & Breakfast | 214 | PR-MINNE.jpg | 5/15/20, 1:09 PM | View Edit Delete | |
| 568 | 50 | DAY - 9 (Chundikulam - Anuradhapura - Polonnaruwa) | 29 | <ul><li><span style="font-family: inherit;">Breakfast at the hotel</span><br></li><li>Transfer you to Polonnaruwa via Anuradhapura. Approximately 5 and a half hours’ drive if you drive directly.</li><li>Visit the ancient city of Anuradhapura Cultural World Heritage Site </li><li>Dinner and overnight stay at Sudu Araliya, Polonnaruwa</li></ul> | Bed & Breakfast | 214 | 4.jpg | 5/22/20, 1:03 AM | View Edit Delete | |
| 569 | 50 | DAY - 10 (Polonnaruwa - Danigala - Maduru Oya - Polonnaruwa) | 29 | <ul><li>Breakfast at the hotel<br></li><li>Visit Aralaganwila to hike Danigala Alien mountain. At the top of Danigala, the circular shape and its’ vegetation brought up some favourable question marks regarding UFO sightings in this area. </li><li>Afternoon wildlife safari in Maduruoya national park and explore ancient Maduru Oya sluice</li><li>Dinner and overnight stay at Sudu Araliya, Polonnaruwa</li></ul> | Bed & Breakfast | 214 | 1.jpg | 5/22/20, 1:06 AM | View Edit Delete | |
| 570 | 50 | DAY - 11(Polonnaruwa) | 29 | <ul><li>Breakfast at the hotel</li><li>Cycle tour to explore the ancient city of Polonnaruwa</li><li>Afternoon wildlife safari in Angammedilla national park</li><li>Dinner and overnight stay at Sudu Araliya, Polonnaruwa</li></ul> | Bed & Breakfast | 214 | PR-MINNE.jpg | 5/22/20, 1:08 AM | View Edit Delete | |
| 583 | 51 | DAY - 3 (Knuckles - Mahiyanganaya - Maduru Oya - Polonnaruwa)) | 29 | <ul><li>Breakfast at the hotel<br></li><li>Transfer you to Polonnaruwa via Mahiyanganaya and Maduru Oya national park. Approximately 5 hours’ drive if you drive directly.</li><li>En-route visit Mahiyangana temple, the place believed to be the Load Buddha first visited in Sri Lanka and meet Vaddhs, the Sri Lanka Aborigines.</li><li>Afternoon safari at Maduru Oya national park. </li><li>Large herds of elephants roaming in the Maduru Oya national park and the adjacent giant Maduru Oya reservoir. </li><li>Dinner and overnight stay at Hotel Sudu Araliya, Polonnaruwa</li></ul> | Bed & Breakfast | 214 | 2.jpg | 5/25/20, 12:38 AM | View Edit Delete | |
| 584 | 51 | DAY - 4 (Polonnaruwa – Sigiriya – Minneiya – Polonnaruwa) | 29 | <ul><li>Breakfast at the hotel<br></li><li>Visit Sigiriya and climb the Sigiriya rock fortress. </li><li>Afternoon visit Minneriya national park. </li><li>The most number of Asian Elephants in a herd can be seen in Minneriya national park.</li><li>Dinner and overnight stay at Hotel Sudu Araliya, Polonnaruwa.</li></ul> | Bed & Breakfast | 214 | SIGIRI--MINNE.jpg | 5/25/20, 12:41 AM | View Edit Delete | |
| 742 | 75 | DAY - 10 (Arugam Bay - Polonnaruwa) | 29 | <ul><li>Breakfast at the hotel.</li><li>Transfer you to Polonnaruwa. Approximately 5 hours drive.</li><li>En-route hike Danigala Alien mountain (Danigala Circular Rock) </li><li>Overnight stay at hotel Sudu Araliya, Polonnaruwa</li></ul> | Bed & Breakfast | 214 | large_1.jpg | 5/15/22, 1:31 AM | View Edit Delete | |
| 743 | 75 | DAY - 11 (Polonnaruwa - Sigiriya - Polonnaruwa) | 29 | <ul><li>Breakfast at the hotel.</li><li>Transfer you to Hiriwadunna Village in Habarana for a village tour. Approximately 1 hours drive </li><li>Village tour in Hiriwadunna, a 3 hours’ program design to experience the real traditional Sri Lankan rural village style. You will travel in a bullock cart to a rural village through a lush green paddy field where you will be served tea with juggery along with the lunch made in authentic Sri Lankan style cooked by traditional cooking method. You also visit to a paddy field to see how the </li><li>local farmers protect their crops from the wild animals and a traditional canoe ride on a lake.</li><li>Afternoon Visit Sigiriya, world famous rock fortress and the Cultural World Heritage Site</li><li>Overnight stay at Hotel Sudu Araliya, Polonnaruwa</li></ul> | Bed & Breakfast | 214 | HIRI-SIGIRI.jpg | 5/15/22, 1:36 AM | View Edit Delete | |
| 757 | 78 | DAY - 2 (Habarana - Polonnaruwa - Minneriya - Habarana) | 29 | <ul><li>Morning visit Polonnaruwa ancient city, the World Heritage site. Approximately 1 hour's drive</li><li>Polonnaruwa was Sri Lanka's second capital for three centuries, beginning in the 11th century AD.It was the best-preserved ancient ruin site in Sri Lanka. Most of the monumental ruins were built by King Parakramabahu I in the 12th century.</li><li>Ruins at the Polonnaruwa ancient city have four core areas: northern monuments, the ancient city, royal citadel monuments, and southern monuments. Each area has a different monument with its own uniqueness that deserves to be seen and admired.</li><li>In the afternoon, go to Minneriya National Park, which has the largest herd of Asian elephants anywhere in the world, making it one of Asia's best wildlife experiences.</li><li>Around the ancient Minneriya reservoir inside the Minneriya National Park, elephants can be seen throughout the year. However, as many as 300 elephants congregate on the reservoir-bed grasslands of the Minneriya tank during the dry season from July to September. There are other animals like deer, water buffalo, crocodiles, iguanas, monkeys, and birds that can also be seen in the park.</li><li>Overnight stay at Oak Ray Elephant Lake, Habarana</li></ul> | 2-2.jpg | 11/14/22, 9:42 AM | View Edit Delete |
| Id | Location Id | Name | Created | Actions |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 44 | 29 | <ul>The ancient city of Polonnaruwa, the World Heritage Site remains one of the best planned archaeological relic sites in Sri Lanka, standing testimony to the discipline and greatness of the ancient Singhalese people. The ruins and temples are within a much more compact area, and also in better condition.</br> <br>According to the Mahavamsa, King Upatissa I built the reservoir called Topa Wewa at Polonnaruwa in the 4th century AD. That was the first time the ancient chronicle Mahavamsa mentioned Polonnaruwa. It was functioned as a temporary administration centre from around the 7th century AD due to internal revolts and South Indian invasions. In 1017 AD the entire island came under the control of South India and ruled the country for the next 37 years. South Indian rulers moved the capital city from Anuradhapura to Polonnaruwa after considering the vulnerably for attacks from both native Sinhalese and other South Indian kingdoms. They nominated Polonnaruwa as “Jananathapuram”.</br> <br>The great Vijayabahu I defeated the South Indian king and recaptured the whole island. However, his coronation took place at Anuradhapura, he chose Polonnaruwa, as the new capital of the country eventually became the second capital of ancient Sri Lanka.</ul> | 11/21/19, 2:05 PM | View Edit Delete |