Tour Guide, Negombo, Sri Lanka
| 2 mins read
The history of Polonnaruwa goes back to 6th century BC, when a minister of king Vijaya (From whom the Sinhalese race was born) established a town called “Vijitha Grama” on the area now called Kaduruwela. This is also the place for the famous “Battle of Vijithapura” between the Great King Dutugamunu (161-131 BC) and the Tamil invader Elara in his effort to re-unite the country under one Sinhalese King. This area was gradually developed as an influential agricultural town with large irrigation tanks and complex waterways built by various kings who ruled from Anuradhapura.
The selection of Polonnaruwa as the capital was not a random choice by the invaders but a strategic choice. Polonnaruwa was developed to be the next kingdom by the Sri Lankan kings from the fifth century BC itself and even during the Anuradhapura era some kings chose this area to rule from whenever the Anuradhapura was under siege.
Today Polonnaruwa is a UNESCO World Heritage site and also one of the well preserved ancient city in the ancient world. Once you visit this place, you can visit large stupas, royal palaces, royal gardens and complexes, ancient buddhist and hindu temples and many medieval artifects. The most highlighted site of Polonnaruwa is the "Gal Viharaya (The Rock Temple).