Polonnaruwa Hotels
Pampering Polonnaruwa
Known as the ‘Garden City’, Polonnaruwa has a long-established rep for being a bit of a conservationist. Over 800 years ago, the city’s king developed intricate irrigation systems – many still in use today – as he didn’t believe in wasting a single drop of water. Good job, Your Majesty – the place is looking great! ... Read more »
Listed as a World Heritage Site, Polonnaruwa is steeped in history. With lush surrounds, you can take in the ancient wonders of Lankatilaka Temple, the Statue of King Parakramabahu (of water-saving fame) and the Buddhist university complex Alahana Pirivena, while the National Park is only a short jaunt out of town. And after long days of archaeological, historical and spiritual submersion, you can rest easy knowing no one is going to have your head for staying in the shower for longer than two minutes!
POLONNARUWA’S TOP 10
10. Lankatilaka The 17m (55ft) high walls lend a cathedral-like quality to this ruin. If only they were also able to support the roof… |
5. Archaeological Museum See how the ruins looked in their glory days via models rather than photographs. |
9. Tivanka Image House Beautiful carved Devas and Bodhisattvas lure you into the inner sanctum, lair of the mighty Tivanka Buddha. |
4. Southern Ruins Includes a structure storing sacred texts, watched over by a kingly statue munching a chunk of papaya. |
8. Royal Palace Group This castle was the historic and stately home of King Parakramabahu himself. |
3. Lotus Pond Made up of five large rock-cut petal shapes, which become smaller the deeper you go. |
7. Parakrama Samudraya One of the vast irrigation tanks built by the king. Could be yucky but actually looks just like a beautiful lake. |
2. Gal Vihara A group of Buddha images carved into the granite, one of them a vertigo-inducing seven meters (23ft) tall. |
6. King’s Council Chamber The ministers’ names are still inscribed into the columns where their seats would have been. |
1. Quadrangle The most concentrated group of ancient ruins is both fascinating and physically undemanding to explore. |
POLONNARUWA EVENTS
Sri Lanka get patriotic in February for Independence Day, celebrated with flag hoisting, parades and dancing.
Have another go at sticking to your resolutions in April, when the Sinhalese New Year is welcomed with deafening firecrackers.
Falling in April or May is the Veska Festival, also known as Buddha’s birthday, which Polonnaruwans seem to enjoy more than their own.
The most spectacular religious procession in Asia takes place in July or August. For the ‘Festival of the Tooth’, or Esala Perahera, even the elephants don costumes and fairy lights.
Deepavali translates to ‘Festival of Lights’ and couldn’t have been more aptly named (October/November).
WHEN TO GO
· Polonnaruwa enjoys a tropical climate and is warm throughout the year.
· October to January experiences torrential downpours thanks to the monsoon season.
· The driest and most pleasant time to visit is from February to September.
GETTING AROUND
· Bicycles can be rented from most hotels, and the streets are very cycle-friendly.
· Relatively cheap and reliable bus services will take you to the ruins situated further out of town.
· Three-wheeler taxis are also available in abundance. They are a bit pricier, but more fun!
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Set within peaceful jungle scenery the Deer Park Hotel Polonnaruwa offers comfortable accommodation after an eventful ... More hotel details
