Royal Palace of King Parakramabahu - Polonnaruwa
Originally this was a seven storeyed building with approximately 1000 chambers, built by the King Parakramabahu the Great (1153-1186) located within the archeological sites of Polonnaruwa UNESCO World Heritage. The Palace was called as Vijayantha Prasada. Since it has consisted of 7 stories, the building also called “Sath Bumupaya” (in Sinhala). The remaining huge walls with thickness over one meter and part of stairs and the foundation walls give you an idea about the size of the building. These massive walls over a meter thick going up to about 30 FT and the bottom half of the main stairway which led to upper floors can be seen today and parts of melted brick walls caused by intense heat when this was set fire by invaders.
Rankoth Vehera (Stupa) (Golden Pinnacle)
It is a magnificent stupa situated in Polonnaruwa which is a perfect destination to experience archaeological educational tour and is the 4th largest stupa in Sri Lanka. It was built by the King Nissanka Malla (1187-1196). The stupa of Rankoth Vehera is in the centre of a large square terrace. There are four entrances to the main building with four cardinal points. Rankoth Vehera's design was inspired by the traditional stupas in Anuradhapura Maha Viharaya and bears a close resemblance to Ruwanwelisaya.
Archaeological Museum Polonnaruwa
Though the museum looks like a small, simple hut from outside it consists of a variety of informative visuals and artefacts inside. It is composed with information regarding the monuments and statues and other brick works (A miscellaneous collection of small articles commonly of ornamental or sentimental value). Archaeological Museum of Polonnaruwa has rooms dedicated to the citadel, the outer city, the monastery area and Hindu monuments. The latter room contains a wonderful selection of bronzes, including some outstanding Shiva statues. You may obtain your entrance ticket to Polonnaruwa UNESCO site from the museum as well.
Kiri Vehera (Stupa)
It is a whitewashed, 80 feet tall, peaceful stupa and is the second largest stupa in this protected archeological site in Sri Lanka. Kiri Vehara was constructed in the 11th century AD, by King Parakramabahu's queen, Queen Subhadra. The original name Rupavathi Chaitya, later named to Kiri Vehara, which means 'white stupa', which is because of its lime washed coating.
Polonnaruwa Vatadage (Circular Relic Chamber)
It was constructed during the reign of the king Parakramabahu to house the Buddha's tooth relic or during the reign of Nissanka Malla of Polonnaruwa to house the Buddha's alms bowl. Both of these revered artifacts would have given the edifice a great deal of historical value. This edifice is a superb example of a typical Sri Lankan Vatadage, as it is built in the Buddulakara or bubble-shaped pattern. This is recommended place for archeological educational tours in Sri Lanka.
Nissanka Latha Mandapaya
A very unique structure built by King Nissankamalla in the 1100s, the Nissanka Latha Mandapaya is believed to be the recitation house for Buddhist chanting (Pirith). Nissanka Latha Mandapaya is one-of-a-kind Sri Lankan building. For a variety of reasons, this architectural marvel is unique.
Gal Vihara
Gal Vihara or previously known as Uththara Ramaya is a Buddhist rock shrine in the UNESCO World Heritage city of Polonnaruwa in Sri Lanka. This is one of the must visited places if you visit to Polonnaruwa. It features four rock statues, each depicting a different Buddha image. The first one is where Buddha is seated on a lotus, the second one is also a seated figure but smaller in size, the third one is a standing figure, and the last one is a reclining figure. Gal Vihara is the most prominent of all hundred temples that were built throughout Sri Lanka by the king Parakramabahu. It is important in Buddhist pilgrimage tours in Sri Lanka.
Sandakada Pahana (Moonstone)
Moonstone, is a unique element of ancient architecture. Sandakada Pahana is a magnificently carved semi-circular stone slab usually placed at the bottom of staircases and entrances. It demonstrates religious beliefs in diversified manner. Archeologists believes that the Sandakada Pahana symbolizes the cycle of Saṃsāra in Buddhism. Recommend witnessing this historical symbol during your holiday in Sri Lanka which gives you an insight of centuries old Buddhist Culture of Sri Lanka.
Lotus Pond
The historic pond of Nelum Pokuna (Lotus Pond) has a distinctive design created by ancient Sri Lankan architects. The pond's name comes from its design, which resembles a fully blossomed lotus flower. This pond is small in comparison to the other ponds in Polonnaruwa's ancient city, and it is made of stones. The structural design of the Nelum Pokuna Theatre in Colombo also has been inspired by this Lotus Pond. One of the unique ancient constructions in Ancient City of Polonnaruwa.
Parakrama Samudraya
Parakrama Samudraya is a freshwater body which was built in the 11th century by the king Parakramabahu the Great. The Parakrama Samudraya, also known as the ‘Sea of Parakrama,' was developed as an irrigation solution to deliver water to the kingdom's vast paddy fields. The Parakrama Samudra continues to provide water to about 18,000 acres of nearby agriculture fields. Also we recommend you to have a boat ride in Parakrama Samudraya during your family adventure holiday in Sri Lanka.
Cycle ride along the Parakrama Samudraya Lake Bund
Lake bund of the Parakrama Samudraya is about 14 KM long and it offers many fascinating views of the lake, archaeological sites and paddy fields. In order to witness these wonderful sightings, can have a walk or a cycle ride along this lake bund which is considered as the longest man-made lake bund in Sri Lanka. Cycle ride along the Parakrama Samudraya Lake Bund is recommend during your family adventure holiday in Sri Lanka.
Bird Island Tour Parakrama Samudraya Polonnaruwa
The Bird Island is the largest of the six islets in Parakarama Samudraya lake in Polonnaruwa. It takes a 30 minutes boat ride to reach this scenic island which is the habitat for a number of bird species including egrets, herons, cormorants, storks, ibis. Boat riding provides a great experience for the activity and adventure holiday tours in Sri Lanka. As the water level of the lake rises along with the monsoon rains, these birds begin to nest in the Bird Island. Every bush and tree in the island becomes a home to the birds during the breeding season. Recommended to go for a boat ride to bird island especially for educational holidays / birdwatching tours in Sri Lanka or a family with young kids where you can get a good knowledge about bird species of a dry zone of a tropical island located close to equator.
Study of Freshwater Fish Species in Dry Zone Sri Lanka
This is purely a technical / education boat trip in Parakrama Samudraya where you will be able to learn / experience about ancient fishing systems in Ceylon/ different types of fresh water fish species of dry zone of a tropical country Ceylon. This will take approximately 3 Hrs on boat and some practical sessions as well on the bank of the Parakrama lake. Recommended activity during your education holidays / family adventure trips in Sri Lanka. Also recommended for the students who follow biology in their high school.
Parakramabahu Statue
The Parakramabahu statue is a colossal statue in Polonnaruwa Ancient City that faces the Parakrama Samudra Reservoir. The statue was created by King Parakramabahu I and is placed near the Potgul Vihara monastic complex. The figure itself is carved into a large rock during the 12th Century AD. It is one of the finest stone statues belonging to this period. Close to twelve feet tall, this statue is of a man with a grave, but wise expression with half-closed eyes and a sad smile as he reads from what most think is a manuscript he holds in his hands at around chest height.
Study of Ancient Irrigation Management
This is an educational technical tour about ancient irrigation of Sri Lanka focusing Polonnaruwa. In Polonnaruwa it can evaluate water diversion methodologies of ancient Sri Lanka. A huge stone anicut can be seen across the Ambangaga, a river that starts from the knuckles range in the central hills of Sri Lanka. The king Mahasen built a stone anicut to divert a great portion of water towards the lake Minneriya in 3rd Century AD. From Minneriya Lake, water was diverted to two other massive reservoirs called Kanthale and Kaudulla. This study is mostly applicable in educational tours in Sri Lanka and will be conducted by Institute of Dry Zone Ecology & Environmental Studies Polonnaruwa
Hiking Tour in Polonnaruwa
Along the Southeastern border of Polonnaruwa there is a range of mountain that has been hardly explored by neither hikers nor explorers. These sleepy mountains have many wonderful archaeological and historical sites yet to describe and the civil conflict situation kept archaeology researchers and explorers away from these mountains’ sites for many years. Recommend activity during your family adventure tour in Sri Lanka.
Dimbulagala or Gunner’s quoin
The tallest mountain in Polonnaruwa district with a height 1752 feet of and that has many caves that had been used by pre-historic communities lived in the area. There are some Buddhist monasteries and meditation centers. According to the stone inscriptions found at the site suggest ancient rulers have converted some of the caves into meditation centers and donated them to forest dwelling monks. At the Southern end of the rock it finds a cave with some medieval paintings.
Tortoise Study Tour
In Polonnaruwa, you can observe Star tortoises, Sri Lanka Black Terrapins, Sri Lanka soft shell terrapins, Red Eared Slider. The feeding and sun basking behaviors of these four species under the natural conditions can be observed in this tour. Apart from the tortoises can meet many other species of wildlife including three different types of monkeys and over 20 species of birds during the walk. Recommended for educational field trips in Sri Lanka.
Wasgamuwa National Park
The park was originally designated as a game sanctuary in 1907 and then upgraded to a Strict Nature Reserve in 1938. Later in 1984, Depart of Wildlife Conservation (DWC) declared this nature reserve as a National Park which deprived the wildlife of its habitat. The vegetation here is tropical dry mixed evergreen forest, with trees such as the weera, and endemic kaluwara ebony present. Hilly ridges of the park are covered in dense forests, as are the banks of the major rivers. Recommended activity during your wildlife photography tour in Sri Lanka.
Jeep Safari in Minneriya National Park
Minneriya National Park, also known as Minneriya Safari Park Sri Lanka established on 1997 is one of Sri Lanka's most visited national parks in Sri Lanka which is an ideal destination for wildlife holidays & family adventure trip in Sri Lanka. You will reach within 1 Hr and safar will take 3 hours and recommended afternoon safari where you will witness the largest Elephant gathering in Asia. Minneriya National Park covers an area of 8,890 hectares. Minneriya is well known for its amazing elephant gathering which is one of Asia's best animal experiences. Further Minneriya National Park is one of the 70 IBA - Important Bird Areas of Sri Lanka which is recommended place for bird watching tours in Sri Lanka.