Polonnaruwa: The Ancient Marvel of Sri Lanka

• Helloහෙලෝ
  [helo]
• Goodbyeවියදනම්
  [viyadanam]
• Yesඔව්
  [ow]
• Noනෑ
  [nē]
• Please/You're welcomeකරන්න/අත්දැක්කා
  [karanna/athēkka]
• Thank youඔබට ස්තූතියි
  [obata sthuthiyi]
• Excuse me/Sorryකියනවා/කිසිවක්
  [kiyanavā/kisiwak]
• How are you?ඔය කොහොමද?
  [ōya kohomada?]
• Fine. And you?හොදටම. ඔය?
  [hotama. ōya?]
• Do you speak English?ඔයා ඉංග්‍රීසි කතා කරයිද?
  [ōyā iṅgrīsi kathā karayida?]
• I don't understandමට දත්ත නොවනවා
  [mata dattha novanavā]

• I'd like to see the menu, pleaseකරුණාකර මෙනුසද බලන්න
  [karunakara menudas balanna]
• I don't eat meatමම මස් කනවා නෑ
  [mama mas kanavā nē]
• Cheers!සුභ විසන්
  [subha visan]
• I would like to pay, pleaseකරුණාකර ගෙවන්නේ
  [karunakara gewanne]

• Help!උක්කාලා!
  [ukkalā!]
• Go away!යන්න!
  [yanna!]
• Call the Police!පොලිස් කරනවා!
  [polis karanavā!]
• Call a doctor!වෛරස් කරනවා!
  [vāras karanavā!]
• I'm lostමම අතිරේජුවා
  [mama atirējuvā]
• I'm illමම අසා
  [mama asā]

• I'd like to buy...මම ... මේදට මෙනුස්වීමට ඇති
  [mama ... mēdat menuswīmatē ēti]
• I'm just lookingමම නම් බලන්නේ
  [mama nam balanē]
• How much is it?එය කොහොමද ආ?
  [ēya kohomada ā?]
• That's too expensiveඑය ඉහලි විය
  [ēya ihali viya]
• Can you lower the price?මිනිසුන්ද කරනවා?
  [minisund karanavā?]

• What time is it?වේයන්ය කොහොමදේ?
  [vēyanaya kohomadē?]
• It's one o'clockඑකටම කොහොම
  [ēkatama kohoma]
• Half past (10)දෙවටම කිවම
  [dēwatama kivama]
• Morningපානදුර
  [pānadura]
• Afternoonපසළදුර
  [pasaladura]
• Eveningසතියුදුර
  [sathiyadura]
• Yesterdayඊයේ
  [īyē]
• Todayඅද
  [ada]
• Tomorrowහෙට
  [heta]
• 1එක
  [ēka]
• 2දෙක
  [dēka]
• 3තුන
  [thuna]
• 4හතලිව
  [hataliwa]
• 5පහ
  [paha]
• 6හය
  [haya]
• 7හත
  [hatha]
• 8අට
  [ata]
• 9නය
  [naya]
• 10දහසය
  [dahasaya]

• Where's a/the...?... කොහොමදේ?
  [... kohomadē?]
• What's the address?ලිපිනය කුමන්දේ?
  [lipinaya kumandē?]
• Can you show me (on the map)?මාපට පෙන්නහෙදේ?
  [mapata pennahe?]
• When's the next (bus)?ඊළඟ කොහොමදුදේ (බස්)?
  [īlaga kohomadudē (bas)?]
• A ticket (to ....)තිකෙට් එකක් (එදා)
  [tiket ekak (eda)]

Polonnaruwa rose to prominence in the 11th century, becoming the capital of Sri Lanka after the fall of Anuradhapura. It was King Vijayabahu I who liberated the city from Chola invaders and established it as the new capital. This marked the beginning of a golden age for Polonnaruwa, characterized by significant advancements in architecture, irrigation, and culture.

King Parakramabahu I, who ruled in the 12th century, is one of the most celebrated monarchs of Polonnaruwa. His reign is often referred to as the 'Golden Age' due to his ambitious infrastructure projects, including the construction of the Parakrama Samudra, an enormous irrigation reservoir. Under his rule, Polonnaruwa became a hub of political, economic, and cultural activity, attracting scholars and artisans from across Asia.

Polonnaruwa is renowned for its exquisite architecture, which showcases a blend of Buddhist and Hindu influences. Notable structures include the Gal Vihara, a rock temple featuring four magnificent Buddha statues carved out of a single granite rock, and the Rankoth Vehera, a massive stupa that stands as a testament to the city’s spiritual significance. The Royal Palace and the Council Chamber of King Parakramabahu are also key highlights, reflecting the grandeur of the ancient city.

Polonnaruwa was not only a political and economic center but also a spiritual hub. The city is dotted with numerous temples, stupas, and monasteries that reflect the deep-rooted Buddhist traditions of the time. The Shiva Devale No. 2, one of the oldest Hindu temples in Polonnaruwa, signifies the religious diversity and tolerance that characterized the city. The Lankatilaka Temple, with its towering Buddha statue, remains a focal point of religious activity.

The decline of Polonnaruwa began in the late 13th century following invasions by South Indian kingdoms and internal strife. The city gradually lost its prominence and was eventually abandoned in favor of other administrative centers. The once-thriving capital fell into ruin and was reclaimed by the jungle, remaining largely forgotten until its rediscovery by British explorers in the 19th century.

The ruins of Polonnaruwa were rediscovered in the 19th century during British colonial rule, sparking interest among historians and archaeologists. Restoration efforts began in the early 20th century, with significant contributions from the Department of Archaeology of Sri Lanka. Today, Polonnaruwa is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, attracting visitors from around the world who come to marvel at its historical and architectural splendor.

Polonnaruwa is located in the North Central Province of Sri Lanka. The nearest international airport is Bandaranaike International Airport in Colombo, approximately 200 kilometers away. From Colombo, you can take a train or bus to Polonnaruwa. The train journey offers scenic views and takes about 5-6 hours. Buses are frequent and take around 6-7 hours. Alternatively, you can hire a taxi or rent a car for a more comfortable and faster journey, which will take roughly 4-5 hours.

Polonnaruwa is a relatively small town, and many attractions are within walking distance or a short tuk-tuk ride away. Tuk-tuks are the most common form of local transport and are readily available. Bicycles are also a popular way to explore the ancient city and can be rented from many guesthouses and shops. For longer journeys, local buses and taxis are available, although hiring a car can offer more flexibility.

The official currency in Sri Lanka is the Sri Lankan Rupee (LKR). Credit cards are accepted in some hotels, restaurants, and shops, but it is advisable to carry cash, especially in smaller establishments and rural areas. ATMs are available in Polonnaruwa, but ensure you have enough cash for smaller transactions and entrance fees to historical sites.

Polonnaruwa is generally a safe destination for tourists. However, like any travel destination, it is advisable to take standard precautions. Avoid walking alone at night in unfamiliar areas and keep an eye on your belongings in crowded places. There are no specific high-crime areas targeting tourists, but it is always best to stay vigilant and aware of your surroundings.

In case of emergency, dial 119 for police assistance and 110 for medical emergencies. The local police station and hospital are available in Polonnaruwa. It is recommended to have travel insurance that covers medical emergencies. For minor health issues, there are several pharmacies in the town where you can purchase over-the-counter medications.

Fashion: Do dress modestly, particularly when visiting religious sites. Avoid wearing revealing clothing. Religion: Do respect local customs and traditions. Always remove your shoes and cover your head when entering temples. Public Transport: Do be respectful and give up your seat to elderly passengers. Don't eat or drink on public transport. Greetings: Do greet people with a friendly 'Ayubowan' (a traditional Sri Lankan greeting) or a handshake. Eating & Drinking: Do try local delicacies and accept food offerings graciously. Don't refuse hospitality, as it is considered impolite.

To experience Polonnaruwa like a local, visit the local markets where you can buy fresh produce and traditional Sri Lankan goods. Engage with locals, as they are often friendly and willing to share stories about the town's history and culture. Don't miss visiting the ancient ruins early in the morning or late in the afternoon to avoid the heat and crowds. Renting a bicycle to explore the ancient city is highly recommended for a unique and immersive experience.