Sri Lanka's Cultural Triangle - Eastern Ancient City:Polonnaruwa

The ancient city of Polonnaruwa in the east is mainly divided into four areas from south to north: 1️⃣ Southern Ruins Group: ✔ Standing Statue This stone statue is said to be that of King Parakramabahu, with hands holding a wheel in front of the chest, symbolizing royal power. ✔ Scripture Repository It is a place used to store precious Buddhist scriptures made from coconut palm leaves. It is actually a circular vihara with an overall rectangular shape, featuring a central dome-shaped stupa surrounded by four smaller stupas. 2️⃣ Royal Palace Ruins Complex The existing great hall is 31 meters long and 13 meters wide, with more than 50 rooms, but now only more than 30 stone pillars remain. The original building was a 7-story structure, and only the ruins of two stories are left. 3️⃣ Quadrangular City The quadrangular courtyard was the place where the tooth relic of the Buddha was located during the Polonnaruwa period, making it the Buddhist center of Polonnaruwa at that time. Within the walled area, which is nearly 2 meters higher than the surrounding area, there are 12 ancient ruins: 。 4️⃣ Alahana Pirivena Ruins Group This scenic area is hidden in a large forest, containing many ancient ruins, including: Lankatilaka Buddha、Rankot Vihara、Cittala、cave temple monasteries、monk's hospital、scripture repository、monastery auditorium, etc. ✔ Among them, Rankot Vihara is the largest in Polonnaruwa and the fourth largest stupa in Sri Lanka. ✔ The Citralada is located to the north of Lankatilaka and is the best-preserved stupa in Polonnaruwa. #Sri lanka#Cultural Triangle#Eastern Ancient City#Polonnaruwa#Alahana Pirivena#Quadrangular City#Royal Palace Ruins Complex#Southern Ruins Group