Polonnaruwa was the capital of Sri Lanka’s 2nd Kingdom, which lasted from 1056 to 1232. It was a large city with a Royal Palace and extensive elaborate temples, statues and stupas. The city was burnt by invaders from India.
The most sacred part of the site is four Buddha images carved from one long slab of granite; the largest being a 14m reclining Buddha which depicts him entering parinirvana (nirvana after death). The statues were prevented from destruction by covering with clay and were not rediscovered until the 19th century by HCP Bell.
Shilli-Fully Travels 