✦ Polonnaruwa · Culture
Gal Vihara
Gal Vihara is a real Sri Lankan heritage site or cultural landmark in Polonnaruwa. It is presented as a travel and cultural reference for visitors interested in the island’s history, architecture and living traditions.
Photo: Balou46 / Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 3.0
Overview
Gal Vihara is a real Sri Lankan heritage site or cultural landmark in Polonnaruwa. It is presented as a travel and cultural reference for visitors interested in the island’s history, architecture and living traditions.
Highlights
- Rock-cut Buddha statues associated with Parakramabahu I’s era
References / Sources
- Sri Lanka Tourism; relevant local heritage authority
Culture
Anuradhapura–Polonnaruwa–Sigiriya–Kandy
Ancient Kingdoms 8-Day Heritage Tour
Kings ruled from Anuradhapura for more than a thousand years before power shifted to Polonnaruwa and, much later, to Kandy. Trace that…
- 8 days / 7 nights
- Anuradhapura → Kandy
Heritage
Jaffna–Anuradhapura–Polonnaruwa–Sigiriya
Northern and Ancient Kingdoms 8-Day Tour
Few journeys begin where this one does, among the palmyra palms and brightly painted kovils of Jaffna. From the Tamil north you…
- 8 days / 7 nights
- Jaffna → Sigiriya
Heritage
Polonnaruwa–Minneriya
Polonnaruwa Heritage 3-Day Tour
What did a twelfth-century royal city look like? In Polonnaruwa you can cycle between its palaces, monasteries and the Gal Vihara, where…
- 3 days / 2 nights
- Polonnaruwa → Polonnaruwa
★ Featured
Wildlife
Kaudulla
Kaudulla Elephant Safari
Dust settles on the grassy shore of an ancient reservoir as herds wade out to drink, calves pressed close to their mothers.…
- 3–4 hours
- August–December
★ Featured
Wildlife
Minneriya
Minneriya Elephant Safari
In a good dry season, hundreds of elephants may spread across the drying bed of Minneriya tank as late sun gilds the…
- 3–4 hours
- June–October (peak August–September)
Nature
Anuradhapura / Polonnaruwa
Paddy Field Cycling
Morning mist hangs over emerald rice fields as you pedal along narrow earth bunds, past ancient reservoirs and grazing water buffalo. Explore…
- 2–4 hours
- Year-round
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