Difference between revisions of "Polonnaruwa"
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[[File:Polonnaruwa_sandakada_pahana.jpg|thumb|250px|]] | [[File:Polonnaruwa_sandakada_pahana.jpg|thumb|250px|]] | ||
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| − | The Ancient City of Polonnaruwa has been declared a World Heritage Site. | + | |
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| + | '''[[Polonnaruwa]]''' ({{Wiki|Sinhalese}} - පොළොන්නරුව or පුලස්තිපුර [[Tamil]] - பொலநறுவை or புளத்தி நகரம் as called by [[Cholas]]) is a town. It's the main town of [[Polonnaruwa]] District in the [[North]] Central Province, [[Sri Lanka]]. Kaduruwela area is the [[Polonnaruwa]] New Town and the other part of [[Polonnaruwa]], remains as the {{Wiki|royal}} [[ancient]] city of polonnaru {{Wiki|kingdom}}. | ||
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| + | The second most [[ancient]] of [[Sri Lanka's]] {{Wiki|kingdoms}}, [[Polonnaruwa]] was first declared the {{Wiki|capital city}} by [[King]] [[Wikipedia:Vijayabahu I|Vijayabahu]] I, who defeated the [[Chola]] invaders in 1070 to reunite the country once more under a local leader. | ||
| + | |||
| + | The [[Ancient]] City of [[Polonnaruwa]] has been declared a [[World Heritage Site]]. | ||
==History== | ==History== | ||
| − | While Vijayabahu's victory and shifting of kingdoms to the more strategic Polonnaruwa is considered significant, the real "Hero of Polonnaruwa" of the history books is actually Parakramabahu I. 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 so adamant that no drop of water falling from the heavens was to be wasted, and each was to be used toward the development of the land; hence, irrigation systems that are 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, is the Parakrama Samudraya or the Sea of Parakrama. 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 moat 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. | + | While Vijayabahu's victory and shifting of {{Wiki|kingdoms}} to the more strategic [[Polonnaruwa]] is considered significant, the real "[[Hero]] of [[Polonnaruwa]]" of the history [[books]] is actually [[Wikipedia:Parākramabāhu I|Parakramabahu]] I. It was his reign that is considered the Golden Age of [[Polonnaruwa]], when trade and {{Wiki|agriculture}} flourished under the {{Wiki|patronage}} of the [[king]], who was so [[adamant]] that no drop of [[water]] falling from the [[heavens]] was to be wasted, and each was to be used toward the [[development]] of the land; hence, irrigation systems that are far {{Wiki|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, is the [[Parakrama]] Samudraya or the Sea of [[Parakrama]]. 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 moat against intruders and the lifeline of the [[people]] in times of [[peace]]. The {{Wiki|Kingdom}} of [[Polonnaruwa]] was completely self-sufficient during [[King]] Parakramabahu's reign. |
| − | 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.[citation needed] They also went on to form more intimate 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 Kalinga 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 moved to Dambadeniya. | + | 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.[citation needed] They also went on to [[form]] more intimate matrimonial alliances with stronger [[South Indian]] {{Wiki|kingdoms}}, until these matrimonial links superseded the local [[royal lineage]] and gave rise to the [[Kalinga]] invasion by [[King Kalinga]] [[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 moved to [[Dambadeniya]]. |
| − | The city of Polonnaruwa was also called Jananathamangalam during the short Chola reign. | + | The city of [[Polonnaruwa]] was also called Jananathamangalam during the short [[Chola]] reign. |
==Present day== | ==Present day== | ||
[[File:Polonnaruwa_02.jpg|thumb|250px|]] | [[File:Polonnaruwa_02.jpg|thumb|250px|]] | ||
| − | Today the ancient city of Polonnaruwa remains one of the best planned archaeological 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. The ancient city of Polonnaruwa has been declared a World Heritage site by UNESCO. | + | Today the [[ancient]] city of [[Polonnaruwa]] remains one of the best planned {{Wiki|archaeological}} [[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. The [[ancient]] city of [[Polonnaruwa]] has been declared a [[World Heritage site]] by [[UNESCO]]. |
| − | Near the ancient city, there is a small town with several hotels (especially for tourists) and some glossy shops, and places to fulfill day-to-day needs. There are government institutions in a newly built area called “new town,” about 6 km away from the town and the main road. The largest school in the district, Polonnaruwa Royal Central College is situated at new town. | + | Near the [[ancient]] city, there is a small town with several hotels (especially for tourists) and some glossy shops, and places to fulfill day-to-day needs. There are government {{Wiki|institutions}} in a newly built area called “new town,” about 6 km away from the town and the main road. The largest school in the district, [[Polonnaruwa]] {{Wiki|Royal}} Central {{Wiki|College}} is situated at new town. |
| − | Polonnaruwa is the second largest city in North Central Province, but it is known as one of the cleanest and more beautiful cities in the country. The green environment, amazing ancient constructions, Parakrama Samudraya (a huge lake built in 1200), and attractive tourist hotels and hospitable people, attract tourists. | + | [[Polonnaruwa]] is the second largest city in [[North]] Central Province, but it is known as one of the cleanest and more beautiful cities in the country. The [[green]] {{Wiki|environment}}, amazing [[ancient]] constructions, [[Parakrama]] Samudraya (a huge lake built in 1200), and attractive tourist hotels and hospitable [[people]], attract tourists. |
==Climate== | ==Climate== | ||
| − | One recent scientific observation is that of its climate changes: historically, Polonnaruwa had a tropical climate most of the year, although it was occasionally chilly in December and January. But in recent years the rain and chilliness has been increased noticeably. Although this is surprising to some people, it is more enjoyable for tourists. However, there is a setback, as paddy field farmers can suffer when there is too much rain. | + | One recent [[scientific]] observation is that of its climate changes: historically, [[Polonnaruwa]] had a tropical climate most of the year, although it was occasionally chilly in December and January. But in recent years the [[rain]] and chilliness has been increased noticeably. Although this is surprising to some [[people]], it is more [[enjoyable]] for tourists. However, there is a setback, as paddy field {{Wiki|farmers}} can [[suffer]] when there is too much [[rain]]. |
{{W}} | {{W}} | ||
[[Category:Buddhist Pilgrimages]] | [[Category:Buddhist Pilgrimages]] | ||
Revision as of 19:29, 3 February 2016
Polonnaruwa (Sinhalese - පොළොන්නරුව or පුලස්තිපුර Tamil - பொலநறுவை or புளத்தி நகரம் as called by Cholas) is a town. It's the main town of Polonnaruwa District in the North Central Province, Sri Lanka. Kaduruwela area is the Polonnaruwa New Town and the other part of Polonnaruwa, remains as the royal ancient city of polonnaru kingdom.
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 to reunite the country once more under a local leader.
The Ancient City of Polonnaruwa has been declared a World Heritage Site.
History
While Vijayabahu's victory and shifting of kingdoms to the more strategic Polonnaruwa is considered significant, the real "Hero of Polonnaruwa" of the history books is actually Parakramabahu I. 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 so adamant that no drop of water falling from the heavens was to be wasted, and each was to be used toward the development of the land; hence, irrigation systems that are 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, is the Parakrama Samudraya or the Sea of Parakrama. 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 moat 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.
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.[citation needed] They also went on to form more intimate 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 Kalinga 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 moved to Dambadeniya.
The city of Polonnaruwa was also called Jananathamangalam during the short Chola reign.
Present day
Today the ancient city of Polonnaruwa remains one of the best planned archaeological 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. The ancient city of Polonnaruwa has been declared a World Heritage site by UNESCO.
Near the ancient city, there is a small town with several hotels (especially for tourists) and some glossy shops, and places to fulfill day-to-day needs. There are government institutions in a newly built area called “new town,” about 6 km away from the town and the main road. The largest school in the district, Polonnaruwa Royal Central College is situated at new town.
Polonnaruwa is the second largest city in North Central Province, but it is known as one of the cleanest and more beautiful cities in the country. The green environment, amazing ancient constructions, Parakrama Samudraya (a huge lake built in 1200), and attractive tourist hotels and hospitable people, attract tourists.
Climate
One recent scientific observation is that of its climate changes: historically, Polonnaruwa had a tropical climate most of the year, although it was occasionally chilly in December and January. But in recent years the rain and chilliness has been increased noticeably. Although this is surprising to some people, it is more enjoyable for tourists. However, there is a setback, as paddy field farmers can suffer when there is too much rain.
