Exploring The Ancient City Of Polonnaruwa, Sri Lanka

After concluding our visit at the initial part of Polonnaruwa, we traveled a brief distance to another significant area within this historical Sri Lankan city. Our exploration began at Satmahal Prasada, a six-tier pyramid-like structure—which originally comprised seven tiers—adorned with figurines that remain discernible on its walls.

Proceeding further, we encountered the Polonnaruwa Vatadage, an approximately 900-year-old structure believed to have housed the revered Relic of the Tooth—specifically, the canine tooth of Buddha, which was kept for veneration by the prevailing king.

It is remarkable to consider that these edifices have stood for almost 900 years, showcasing intricate designs that reflect the architectural sophistication of their time. My uncertainty lies in whether I am alone in my astonishment regarding the preservation of such historical edifices in Sri Lanka. This is evidently a major reason why having local guidance—like our experience with Evaneos—profoundly enhances the experience, particularly while exploring sites where knowledge may be limited.

As with many sacred sites in Sri Lanka, a clockwise traversal is customary, as it is believed that the Buddha’s blessings are conferred through the right arm.

As we continued our journey, a wealth of access to Sri Lanka’s rich history unfolded before us, thus emphasizing the value of visiting the museum beforehand, allowing for a deeper comprehension before arriving at the site.

Your footwear must be left outside any of these locations, hence casual footwear like flip-flops is advisable.

Our visit to the ancient city of Polonnaruwa further emphasized that it’s an essential stop on any itinerary when visiting Sri Lanka, imbued with a remarkable wealth of historical context.