Polonnaruwa

Polonnaruwa
Throughout the 10th century Sri Lankan politics was marked by continual power struggles, regional revolts and civil wars. The south Indians took advantage of this instability to launch a series of invasions. In 954 Sena IV became king and took the decision to move the capital to Polonnaruwa, a large regional city which was much further east and thus much safer from invasions. Two of Sri Lanka’s greatest kings, Vijayabahu I and Parakramabahu I ruled from Polonnaruwa; the first for forty years and the second for thirty-two years. Both monarchs were great builders and these two men built most of the monuments the pilgrim sees in the city today. Another great builder was the Nissankamalla who also repaired or enlarged several temples and stupas built earlier. The ruins of Polonnaruwa are spread over a wide area in a north – south formation. We will start with those in the south and move north.