Polonnaruwa

The ruins of 1,000- year-old Polonnaruwa, once a burgeoning commercial and religious nucleus, photogenically scattered amid sun-dappled woodland, Its creeper – clad temples watched over by troupes of black – faced hanuman monkeys. The merchants during its heydays battered here for […]

The ruins of 1,000- year-old Polonnaruwa, once a burgeoning commercial and religious nucleus, photogenically scattered amid sun-dappled woodland, Its creeper – clad temples watched over by troupes of black – faced hanuman monkeys. The merchants during its heydays battered here for precious possessions and found solace at the copious magnificent temples.

The best way to explore this archaeological treasures is by a bike , as the complex is quite spread out.Look out for intricately carved friezes of elephants and lions, serene shrines shaded by bodhi trees and enigmatic moonstones ( ornate semicircular carvings found in front of temples).Most impressive of all, however, is Gal Vihara, a group of enormous Buddha images exquisitely carved from granite.As an ancient royal capital with a pro-trade topographical confluence, accessible to Colombo and Batticaloa, this town throve into a city & a well preserved historical park conveniently adjacent to voluminous national parks.