The second most ancient of Sri Lanka's kingdoms, Polonnaruwa was first declared the capital city by King Vijayabahu I, who defeated the Chola invaders in 1070 CE to reunite the country once more under a local leader. While Vijayabahu's victory and shifting of Kingdoms to the more strategic Polonnaruwa is considered significant, the real Polonnaruwa Hero of the history books is actually his grandson, Parakramabahu I. The city Polonnaruwa was also called as Jananathamangalam during the short Chola reign. The Chola Dynasty (Tamil: , IPA: ) was a Tamil dynasty that ruled primarily in southern India until the 13th century. ... Parakramabahu is a common name belonging to seven familially unrelated Kings of Sri Lanka. ...

It was his reign that is considered the Golden Age of Polonnaruwa, when trade and agriculture flourished under the patronage of the King, who was adamant that no drop of water falling from the heavens was to be wasted, and each be used toward the development of the land; hence, irrigation systems far superior to those of the Anuradhapura Age were constructed during Parakramabahu's reign, systems which to this day supply the water necessary for paddy cultivation during the scorching dry season in the east of the country. The greatest of these systems, of course is the Parakrama Samudraya or the Sea of Parakrama, a tank so vast that it is often mistaken for the ocean. It is of such a width that it is impossible to stand upon one shore and view the other side, and it encircles the main city like a ribbon, being both a defensive border against intruders and the lifeline of the people in times of peace. The Kingdom of Polonnaruwa was completely self-sufficient during King Parakramabahu's reign.

However, with the exception of his immediate successor, Nissankamalla I, all other monarchs of Polonnaruwa, were slightly weak-willed and rather prone to picking fights within their own court. They also went on to form more intimiate matrimonial alliances with stronger South Indian Kingdoms, until these matrimonial links superseded the local royal lineage and gave rise to the Kalinga invasion by King Magha in 1214 and the eventual passing of power into the hands of a Pandyan King following the Arya Chakrawarthi invasion of Sri Lanka in 1284. The capital was then shifted to Dambadeniya. South India is a linguistic-cultural region of India that comprises the four Indian states of Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Kerala and Tamil Nadu and the Union Territory of Pondicherry, whose inhabitants are collectively referred to as South Indians. ... Kalinga is a landlocked province of the Philippines in the Cordillera Administrative Region in Luzon. ... Maagha (Hindi: माघ maagh) is a month of the Hindu calendar. ... Arya Chakaravarthi is a name of a dynasty of Hindu Kings of the Jaffna Kingdom in Sri Lanka. ... Situated in the Wayamba province of Sri Lanka, Dambadeniya served as the capital of Sri Lanka in the mid 13th century. ...

Today the ancient city of Polonnaruwa remains one of the best planned Archeological relic sites in the country, standing testimony to the discipline and greatness of the Kingdom's first rulers. Its beauty was also used as a backdrop to filmed scenes for the Duran Duran music video Save a Prayer in 1982. Duran Duran is a British pop/rock band notable for a long series of popular, synthesiser-driven hit singles and vivid music videos. ... Save A Prayer was a 1982 hit single for Duran Duran. ...

The ancient city of Polonnaruwa has been declared a World Heritage site by UNESCO. A UNESCO World Heritage Site is a specific site (such as a forest, mountain, lake, desert, monument, building, complex, or city) that has been nominated and confirmed for inclusion on the list maintained by the international World Heritage Programme administered by the UNESCO World Heritage Committee, composed of 21 State... UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization) is a specialized agency of the United Nations established in 1945. ...

Kings and Queens of Polonnaruwa

• Vijayabahu I
• Jaya Bahu
• Vikrama Bahu
• Parakrama Bahu, The Great
• Nissankamalla I
• Queen Lilavati

Archeological ruins

• The Royal Palace at Polonnaruwa (Vejayanta Pasada)
• The Council Chamber / Audience Hall
• The Vatadage (Round House)
• Moonstones
• Thuparamaya (Image House)
• Latha Mandapaya (Lotus Sanctuary)
• Atadage (House of Eight Relics)
• Gal Potha (Stone Book)
• Gal Viharaya
• Nelum Pokuna (Lotus Bath)
• Satmahal Prasada (A square pyramidal tower in seven tiers)
• Hatadage (The Shrine of Sixty Relics)
• Lankathilake
• Ran Kot Vehera (The Golden Pinnacle Dagaba)
• Pabulu Vehera (Coral Shrine)
• Kiri Vehera (Milk-white shrine)
• Demala Maha Seya
• Potgul Vihara (The Monastery)
• Tivanka Image House
• Alahana Pirivena (Alahana University)
• Siva Devale (Siva Shrine)
• Kumara Pokuna (Royal Bath)

Vatadage Image File history File linksMetadata AudienceHall. ...	Audience Hall Image File history File linksMetadata Vatadage. ...	Satmahal Prasada Image File history File linksMetadata Download high resolution version (534x800, 115 KB) Summary Sath Mahal Prasadaya, Polonnaruwa, Sri Lanka Author = Dominique Schreckling [1] Licensing File history Legend: (cur) = this is the current file, (del) = delete this old version, (rev) = revert to this old version. ...	Rankoth Vehera Image File history File linksMetadata Demala_maha_seya. ...
Ananda Thera standing by Lord Buddha, Gal Viharaya Image File history File linksMetadata Download high resolution version (1280x960, 571 KB) Photographer: chikuado Title: Gal Vihariya - 2 Description: The Upright statue of the Buddha. ...	The Hatadage (meaning House built in 60 days - by Nissanka Malla to house the Dantha Dathuwa) Image File history File linksMetadata Hatadage. ...	King Parakramabahu Statue,But some archiologists’ thinking is that this is not King Parakramabahu but a scholar. On the top of the statue there is a carving to support his. There are other features in the statue that does not suggest it's a king. Image File history File linksMetadata Download high resolution version (534x800, 86 KB) Summary King Parackrama Bahu Statue, Polonnaruwa, Sri Lanka Author = Dominique Schreckling [1] Licensing File history Legend: (cur) = this is the current file, (del) = delete this old version, (rev) = revert to this old version. ...	The ruins of king Parakramabahu's royal palace in Polonnaruwa. Image File history File links Royal_palace. ...

Present Situation

Near to the ancient city, there is a small town with several hotels (especially for tourists) and some glossary shops, and palaces to fulfill day to day needs. There are government institutions in a newly built area called “new town” about 6km away from the town and the main road. The largest school in the district, Royal Central College is situated at new town. Royal Central College is the largest school in Polonnaruwa. ...

Polonnaruwa is the 2nd largest city in north central province. But it is known as one of the cleaner and more beautiful cities in the country. The greeny environment, amazing ancient constructions, Parackrama Samudraya (a huge lake built in 1200 A.C.), attractive tourist hotels and most importantly nice people with hospitality, always attracted local and foriegn tourists. One recent scientific observation is that its climate changes. Historically Polonnaruwa had a tropical climate most of the year, although it was occationally chilly in December and January. But in recent years the rain and chillyness has been increased noticably. Although this is surprising to some people, it is more enjoyable for tourists. But sometimes paddy field farmers suffers when there is too much rain.

See also

• Anuradhapura
• World Heritage List
• Sigiriya
• Mahawamsa
• Place names in Sri Lanka

Anuradhapura, (අනුරාධපුර in Sinhala), is one of the ancient capitals of Sri Lanka, world famous for its well preserved ruins of the Great Sri Lankan Civilization. ... Elabana Falls is in Lamington National Park, part of the Central Eastern Rainforest Reserves World Heritage site in Queensland, Australia. ... Sigiriya is an archeological site in North Central Sri Lanka. ... The Mahavamsa, also Mahawamsa, (Pāli: great chronicle) is a historical record, written in the Pāli language, of the Buddhist kings of Sri Lanka. ... ...

External links

• The Medieval Capital of Polonnaruwa
• Polonnaruwa
• Ancient City of Polonnaruwa
• Polonnaruwa Ancient City, Sri Lanka
• Ancient City of Polonnaruwa - World Heritage
• "Discovering Polonnaruwa" - an article in The Hindu
• Galvihara - a unique display of rock art
• Official website of the Sri Lanka Tourism Board
• A list of traditional names of cities in Sri Lanka
• Places of interest in polonnaruwa

This belongs to North Central Province of Sri Lanka

Coordinates: 7°56′N, 81°00′E Map of Earth showing lines of latitude (horizontally) and longitude (vertically), Eckert VI projection; large version (pdf, 1. ...