The unimposing town of Polonnaruwa, which is found in the North Central Province of Sri Lanka, is a place where royalty tread in times gone by. This sleeping town boasts of a remarkable history, remnants of which are scattered throughout its territories. There are majestic ancient monuments and structures here, silently proclaiming to all the wonders of a bygone era. Among these, the iconic Gal Viharaya is indeed quite prominent.
Gal Viharaya which translates to Stone Temple is a place that portrays the grandeur of Sri Lanka’s vibrant past. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is one of the most popular tourist attractions in the region. When you are travelling with Green Holiday Centre you will be able to visit this site with immense ease.
History
There are four breathtaking statues of Buddha statues to be seen here, carved flawlessly on a single colossal granite rock. These wonderful statues are believed to have been created during the reign of King Parakramanahu, who ruled in the island between 1153 and 1186 AC. The beauty and charm of these ancient sculptures here are truly unmatched!
Each of the four majestic statues of the Gal Viharaya had its own separate cave shrine built from brick. These cave shrines were named Cave of Vajjadharas, Excavated Cave, Cave of Standing Image and Cave of Reclining Image. It is believed that the statues would have at one point in time been coated in gold too!
The smallest statue in Gal Viharaya has a height exceeding 15 feet and the largest statue is more than 46 feet in height! These extraordinary statues were created in an era when modern technology and tools were nonexistent too. And yet, these grand statues stand tall, unscathed by the brutal winds of time. These rock figures truly are marvellous masterpieces that deserve the highest admiration and appreciation.
