Polonnaruwa Galviharaya

Polonnaruwa Galviharaya is a Buddhist Temple with statues made of rocks. They are believed to be built by the King Parakramabhahu, who ruled Sri Lanka centuries ago. The temple has 4 statues of Lord Buddha and some argue that one of them is Ananda Thera.

At the entrance there is a small pond. After the death of the King Parakramabhahu, there were a wars going on. They were against Buddhist Kings and were destroying all Buddhist Temples and other buildings built by the great kings. Polonnaruwa was also under threat and at some point these enemies were able to take Polonnaruwa into their hand. Sinhalese people took all their efforts to protect the Buddhist temples. So, to protect the Galviharaya, they have covered the whole temple from soil. The pond there was created at the place where soil was taken out from.

Pond at Galviharaya

 The temple was protected as it was totally covered from soil.Following is the second statue in Galviharaya. 

This is the statue that some believe as the Ananda Thera. 

They say that this is the statue of worrying Ananda Thera at the loss of Lord Buddha.

Detail of Stone Face of Reclining Buddha at Gal Vihara, Polonnaruwa, Sri Lanka Photographic Poster Print by Richard I'Anson, 30x40


Three Monks in Front of a Statue of the Buddha, Gal Vihara, Polonnaruwa, Sri Lanka Photographic Poster Print by Yadid Levy, 24x32