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1996
Around the world (SRI LANKA )
Bec2004-09-20 12:07:02
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builders of irrigation canals and of water reservoirs of all sizes (tanks). The well crafted twin pools shown here were built in the 1st century for the monks attached to the Adhayagiri Dagoba.
When the capital was moved to Polonnaruwa in the 10th century, Anuradhapura began a slow decline and had largely been reclaimed by the jungle when the British reached the interior of the island in the 19th century. The Jetavanarama Dagoba shown here was built in the 3rd century A.D. and is now being restored as have been most of the important structures of the ancient city. Dagobas, called Stupas in Nepal, Chorten in Tibet, Pagodas in Myanmar and Chedi somewhere else, are a fundamental symbol representing the buddhist cosmos. They are generally solid and may sometimes contain relics but cannot be seen as tombs; they are holy places on which to concentrate meditation and worship.
POLONNARUWA
This is all that is left of the magnificent Palace built in the12th century by Parakramabahu, the greatest of the Sinhalese kings to reign here. The capital was located in Polonnaruwa for about three centuries until persistent South Indian invasions caused its displacement in the 13th century to Dambadenia about 110 km to the south-west of here and later to Panduvasnavara close by.
These ruins were king Parakramabaku's audience hall located next to the royal palace inside the inner fortifications of Polonnaruwa. It is notable for the frieze showing elephants in various positions around its base and for the two lions at the top of the stairs.
A short distance north of the Royal Palace lie a number of interesting religion related buildings of which this Vatadage (circular relic house). Four staircases adorned with fine guardstones lead to a low dagoba surrounded by four seated Buddhas.
About two km further north, lies this relatively small but beautiful dagoba called Kiri Vihara
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See photographs from:
Sri Lanka Gallery
